CVE Catalog

CVE-2018-12120

HighCVSS 8.1
Published: Updated: Translated: NVD NIST

Exploitation Probability (EPSS)

Very high risk
4.28%

91th percentile - higher than 91% of all known CVEs

Summary

Node.js: All versions prior to Node.js 6.15.0: Debugger port 5858 listens on any interface by default: When the debugger is enabled with `node --debug` or `node debug`, it listens to port 5858 on all interfaces by default. This may allow remote computers to attach to the debug port and evaluate arbitrary JavaScript. The default interface is now localhost. It has always been possible to start the debugger on a specific interface, such as `node --debug=localhost`. The debugger was removed in Node.js 8 and replaced with the inspector, so no versions from 8 and later are vulnerable.

Risk Assessment

An attacker with network access can attach to the debug port and execute arbitrary JavaScript, leading to full control of the application. Risk applies only to Node.js versions before 8 with the debugger enabled.

Recommendation

Update Node.js to version 6.15.0 or later (or to version 8+). If the debugger is used, start it bound to localhost (e.g., `node --debug=localhost`) and never expose port 5858 on public interfaces.

Other vulnerabilities in Node.js

See all
Original NVD description (English source)

Node.js: All versions prior to Node.js 6.15.0: Debugger port 5858 listens on any interface by default: When the debugger is enabled with `node --debug` or `node debug`, it listens to port 5858 on all interfaces by default. This may allow remote computers to attach to the debug port and evaluate arbitrary JavaScript. The default interface is now localhost. It has always been possible to start the debugger on a specific interface, such as `node --debug=localhost`. The debugger was removed in Node.js 8 and replaced with the inspector, so no versions from 8 and later are vulnerable.

Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS