CVE-2026-86038
HIGHDescription
libp2p is a JavaScript implementation of the libp2p networking stack. From 15.0.0 until 16.0.5, @libp2p/gossipsub uses the default StrictSign policy in packages/gossipsub/src/utils/buildRawMessage.ts, where validateToRawMessage verifies a signature with attacker-controlled msg.key but skips binding that key to msg.from when the claimed author is an RSA peer ID that does not inline a public key. An unauthenticated attacker can place a victim RSA peer ID in msg.from, sign the message with the attacker's private key, and supply the attacker's public key in msg.key, causing the message to be accepted and propagated as authored by the victim. Applications that trust message.from for validators, authorization, accounting, moderation, reputation, or audit logging can process attacker-controlled data under false origin attribution. The issue is fixed in version 16.0.5.
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Exploit Intelligence
EPSS data unavailable for this CVE.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-345 vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-38831 | High | 7.8 | 98% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2016-4553 | High | 8.6 | 80% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2016-4554 | High | 8.6 | 39% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2023-35719 | Medium | 6.8 | 25% | - | - |
| CVE-2022-26871 | Critical | 9.8 | 20% | KEV | - |
| CVE-2014-4936 | High | 9.3 | 17% | - | - |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2026-86038?
Upgrade @libp2p/gossipsub to 16.0.5 or later.
How severe is CVE-2026-86038?
CVE-2026-86038 has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.5, rated high. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2026-86038 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for @libp2p/gossipsub (npm). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-09-17.