CVE-2026-111758

markdown-it: Quadratic-time rendering of a single multi-line link reference definition with default options (regression since 14.0)

Published Oct 20, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
markdown-it is a Markdown parser. From versions 14.1.0 to before 14.3.3, and 15.0.0 to before 15.0.3, a link reference definition whose label or title is never closed is O(n²) with default options. Continuation lines are pulled lazily with str += lineContent in src/rules_block/reference.ts, and the subsequent charCodeAt and slice calls flatten the V8 cons-string, copying everything collected so far; this runs before the rule decides the definition is invalid. No options are required to trigger it. This issue has been patched in versions 14.3.3 and 15.0.3.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-gfr2-rv44-r23c markdown-it: Quadratic-time rendering of a single multi-line link reference definition with default options (regression since 14.0)
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Markdown-it
Markdown-it markdown-it
Vendors & Products Markdown-it
Markdown-it markdown-it
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description markdown-it is a Markdown parser. From versions 14.1.0 to before 14.3.3, and 15.0.0 to before 15.0.3, a link reference definition whose label or title is never closed is O(n²) with default options. Continuation lines are pulled lazily with str += lineContent in src/rules_block/reference.ts, and the subsequent charCodeAt and slice calls flatten the V8 cons-string, copying everything collected so far; this runs before the rule decides the definition is invalid. No options are required to trigger it. This issue has been patched in versions 14.3.3 and 15.0.3.
Title markdown-it: Quadratic-time rendering of a single multi-line link reference definition with default options (regression since 14.0)
Weaknesses CWE-400
CWE-407
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Oct 28, 2026, 4:40 PM
Reserved
Oct 16, 2026, 5:52 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 20, 2026, 9:17 PM
Modified
Oct 28, 2026, 5:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Oct 20, 2026, 8:28 PM