File timestamp modification via unchecked fs.futimes permission
Published Jan 20, 2026 · Updated Jan 20, 2026
Permission bypass in Node.js 20, 22, 24, and 25 allows attackers to alter file timestamps through fs.futimes() under read-only access. The fs.futimes() path accepts an open file descriptor and updates access and modification times without enforcing the write-permission check applied by fs.utimes(). The process must use the opt-in permission model and hold a readable file descriptor; the bypass changes metadata only, enabling timestamp obfuscation without file-content modification.
Summary
What happened
Permission bypass in Node.js 20, 22, 24, and 25 allows attackers to alter file timestamps through fs.futimes() under read-only access. The fs.futimes() path accepts an open file descriptor and updates access and modification times without enforcing the write-permission check applied by fs.utimes(). The process must use the opt-in permission model and hold a readable file descriptor; the bypass changes metadata only, enabling timestamp obfuscation without file-content modification.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-55132
- Published
- Jan 20, 2026
- Updated
- Jan 20, 2026
- Vendor
- Node.js
- Product
- Node.js
- Classifications
- CWE-276, T1070.006
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 20, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jan 20, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=20.19.6 <=20.19.6
- Affected versionversion=22.21.1 <=22.21.1
- Affected versionversion=24.12.0 <=24.12.0
- Affected versionversion=25.2.1 <=25.2.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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