CVE-2026-118661
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AI Threat Summary
CVE-2026-118661 is a moderate vulnerability with a CVSS score of 6.5 affecting the target software. Threat hunters should monitor for exploit attempts and apply vendor patches immediately.
Description
Happy DOM is a JavaScript implementation of a web browser without its graphical user interface. Prior to 20.14.6, Happy DOM's CookieContainer in src/cookie/CookieContainer.ts does not correctly validate or match Domain cookie attributes. It can accept a Domain unrelated to the origin setting the cookie, including a public suffix, and separately treats an unrelated suffix-sharing hostname as a match because cookieMatchesURL does not enforce a DNS-label boundary. In server-side rendering and prerendering applications that contact attacker-controlled origins and then make requests to a victim origin, these behaviors can plant and deliver a forged cookie, enabling cookie injection or session fixation. This issue is fixed in version 20.14.6.
Attack Chain
Attacker identifies vulnerable service instances using Shodan, Censys, or active scanning
Attacker crafts malicious payload exploiting CVE-2026-118661 to achieve remote code execution
Attacker executes arbitrary OS commands or shellcode in the context of the vulnerable process
Attacker installs backdoor, cron job, or web shell for persistent access
Attacker uses compromised host as pivot point to access internal network resources
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Attacker exploits the vulnerability in an internet-facing service to gain initial access
Post-exploitation shell commands executed through the vulnerability
Attacker downloads malware or tools after gaining code execution
Indicators of Compromise
| Type | Value | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_agent | Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; exploit/1.0) |
Generic exploit scanner user agent pattern | |
| url | /api/vuln-endpoint?payload=<malicious> |
Exploit attempt against application endpoint — monitor access logs for anomalous params | |
| registry_key | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\backdoor |
Persistence mechanism after successful RCE |
Remediation
Quick Facts
| CVE ID | CVE-2026-118661 |
| CVSS Score | 6.5 |
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N |
| Published | 2026-10-28 |
| Exploited | No |
| CISA KEV | No |
| PoC | Not public |