CVE-2025-69873
ajv (Another JSON Schema Validator) before 8.18.0 is vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) when the $data option is enabled. The pattern keyword accepts runtime data via JSON Pointer syntax ($data reference), which is passed directly to the JavaScript RegExp() constructor without validation. An attacker can inject a malicious regex pattern (e.g., "^(a|a)*$") combined with crafted input to cause catastrophic backtracking. A 31-character payload causes approximately 44 seconds of CPU blocking, with each additional character doubling execution time. This enables complete denial of service with a single HTTP request against any API using ajv with $data: true for dynamic schema validation. This issue is also fixed in version 6.14.0.
What this means for your business
- An attacker can use it only with access to the machine itself, without a login, and without anyone at your company clicking anything.
What to do
- 1Ask your IT team or provider whether any of your systems use the affected product.
- 2If you do, follow the vendor's guidance. No patch reference has been published yet.
Not sure if your company is exposed?
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Scoring
- CVSS
- 2.9 (v3.1)
- Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness
- CWE-1333
- Assigned by
- cve@mitre.org
Dates
- Published
- 2026-02-11
- Last modified
- 2026-09-10
- Sources
- NVD
References
- https://github.com/EthanKim88/ethan-cve-disclosures/blob/main/CVE-2025-69873-ajv-ReDoS.md
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2g4f-4pwh-qvx6
- https://github.com/ajv-validator/ajv/pull/2588
- https://github.com/ajv-validator/ajv/pull/2590
- https://github.com/ajv-validator/ajv/releases/tag/v6.14.0
- https://github.com/github/advisory-database/pull/6991
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:10093
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:13512
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:14774
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:15091
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16874
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19712
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26211
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26214
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:33371