# CVE-2026-118782: Forge PKCS#12 MAC validation bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-118782-forge-also-called-node-forge-is-a-native-implementation-of  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-29. Updated: 2026-10-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-118782 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-10-29

Forge is a JavaScript library providing cryptographic functions including certificate and key handling. Prior to version 1.4.1, the library incorrectly accepts zero or negative iteration counts in PKCS#12 password-based encryption, allowing attackers to bypass password integrity checks on encrypted certificates and keys. An attacker with a crafted PKCS#12 file can forge or modify protected content without knowing the correct password.

Technologies: [Digital Bazaar Forge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/forge), [node-forge (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/node-forge). Vendors: [Digital Bazaar](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/digital-bazaar), [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-118782 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-118782 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-118782?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 29 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Digital Bazaar Forge prior to 1.4.1; node-forge (npm) <= 1.4.0, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=1.4.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-118782?** Yes. node-forge (npm): upgrade to 1.4.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-118782 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-118782?** Check whether you run Digital Bazaar Forge or node-forge (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- node-forge (npm): upgrade to 1.4.1 or later

  ```sh
  npm install node-forge@1.4.1
  ```


## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in the PKCS#12 MAC and key derivation functions, specifically in pki.pbe.generatePkcs12Key() and pkcs12.pkcs12FromAsn1(). When iteration count is zero or negative, the function returns a constant key independent of the password and salt. This affects password-based encryption using pbeWithSHAAnd3-KeyTripleDES-CBC and pbewithSHAAnd40BitRC2-CBC algorithms. PBES2/PBKDF2-encrypted content is not affected. An attacker can process a crafted PKCS#12 file to bypass integrity checks via network or local access.

## Affected products

- Digital Bazaar Forge prior to 1.4.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-118782
- GHSA-jc66-7q78-782g

## Timeline

- 2026-10-29: disclosed
- 2026-10-27: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/digitalbazaar/forge/commit/d9584aa56824972858366d5187b3d29e46bf3656](https://github.com/digitalbazaar/forge/commit/d9584aa56824972858366d5187b3d29e46bf3656)
- [https://github.com/digitalbazaar/forge/releases/tag/v1.4.1](https://github.com/digitalbazaar/forge/releases/tag/v1.4.1)

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