CVE-2026-44494

What it is

Axios is a promise based HTTP client for the browser and Node.js. From 1.0.0 to before 1.16.0, the Axios library is vulnerable to a Prototype Pollution "Gadget" attack that allows any Object.prototype pollution in the application's dependency tree to be escalated into a full Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack — intercepting, reading, and modifying all HTTP traffic including authentication credentials. The HTTP adapter at lib/adapters/http.js:670 reads config.proxy via standard property access, which traverses the prototype chain. Because proxy is not present in Axios defaults, the merged config object has no own proxy property, making it trivially injectable via prototype pollution. Once injected, setProxy() routes all HTTP requests through the attacker's proxy server. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.16.0.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

1.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-06-11 17:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-11 13:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 8.7 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-06-11 17:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-11 13:18 UTC

Exploit probability

1.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-441

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Axios < 1.16.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.7

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

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