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.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | smtp-server | < 3.18.3 | 3.18.3 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS: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)
CWE-400- Platform
- npm
- Package
smtp-server- Disclosed
- 15.05.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-fv2f-rw9f-v9cm - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: smtp-server
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
This is the only known vulnerability of this package.
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