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CVE-2026-38728

smtp-server's command parser memory exhaustion denial-of-service

7.5 HighFix available

An issue in Nodemailer smtp_server before v.3.18.3 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the SMTPStream._write, lib/smtp-stream.js components

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High

Exploit likelihood

0.57%Up 0.5 points since May 16, 2026
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 7.5

An issue in Nodemailer smtp_server before v.3.18.3 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the SMTPStream._write, lib/smtp-stream.js components

Record
CVE-2026-38728
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness
CWE-400
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-30546 7.5

An issue in Nodemailer smtp_server before v.3.18.3 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the SMTPStream._write, lib/smtp-stream.js components

Record
EUVD-2026-30546
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-fv2f-rw9f-v9cm 8.7

smtp-server's command parser memory exhaustion denial-of-service

smtp-server prior to v3.18.3 are vulnerable to unauthenticated memory exhaustion denial-of-service. smtp-server's command parser allows any remote client to consume server memory by sending data without newline characters. The server's _remainder buffer in SMTPStream._write grows without limit, leading to heap exhaustion, prolonged GC pauses that freeze the event loop, and in some cases, process crash.

The _write method in lib/smtp-stream.js appends incoming TCP chunks to this._remainder in command mode. The buffer is only emptied when a newline is found. If a client never sends a newline, the _remainder value will grow indefinitely, causing excess memory consumption.

Record
GHSA-fv2f-rw9f-v9cm
CVSS 4.0
8.7 HighCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Weakness
CWE-400
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 7.5

An issue in Nodemailer smtp_server before v.3.18.3 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the SMTPStream._write, lib/smtp-stream.js components

Record
CVE-2026-38728
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness
CWE-400
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 7.5

An issue in Nodemailer smtp_server before v.3.18.3 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via the SMTPStream._write, lib/smtp-stream.js components

Record
CVE-2026-38728
CVSS 3.1
7.5 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-fv2f-rw9f-v9cm 8.7

smtp-server's command parser memory exhaustion denial-of-service

smtp-server prior to v3.18.3 are vulnerable to unauthenticated memory exhaustion denial-of-service. smtp-server's command parser allows any remote client to consume server memory by sending data without newline characters. The server's _remainder buffer in SMTPStream._write grows without limit, leading to heap exhaustion, prolonged GC pauses that freeze the event loop, and in some cases, process crash.

The _write method in lib/smtp-stream.js appends incoming TCP chunks to this._remainder in command mode. The buffer is only emptied when a newline is found. If a client never sends a newline, the _remainder value will grow indefinitely, causing excess memory consumption.

Record
GHSA-fv2f-rw9f-v9cm
CVSS 4.0
8.7 HighCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Weakness
CWE-400
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
smtp-server
npm
before 3.18.3
3.18.3

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2026-38728 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in smtp-server, published May 15, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.57%, the 47th percentile. Fixed in smtp-server 3.18.3.

References

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