Node: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2023-32559 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in Node from Node.js, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 4.*, 5.*, 6.* as the first without the flaw, so updating Node to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.8% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 79% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Node to 4.* or 5.* or 6.* or 7.*, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update nodejs to 16.20.1 or 18.17.0 or 20.5.0, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node.js | Node | 4.0 up to, but not including, 4.*; 5.0 up to, but not including, 5.*; 6.0 up to, but not including, 6.*; 7.0 up to, but not including, 7.*; 8.0 up to, but not including, 8.*; 9.0 up to, but not including, 9.*; 10.0 up to, but not including, 10.*; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.*; and 9 more ranges | 4.*, 5.*, 6.*, 7.*, 8.*, 9.* |
| Node.js | nodejs | before 16.20.1; before 18.17.0; before 20.5.0 | 16.20.1, 18.17.0, 20.5.0 |
| Node.js | Node.js | 16.0.0 through 16.20.1; 18.0.0 through 18.17.0; 20.0.0 through 20.5.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the experimental policy mechanism in all active release lines: 16.x, 18.x and, 20.x. The use of the deprecated API `process.binding()` can bypass the policy mechanism by requiring internal modules and eventually take advantage of `process.binding('spawn_sync')` run arbitrary code, outside of the limits defined in a `policy.json` file. Please note that at the time this CVE was issued, the policy is an experimental feature of Node.js.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20231006-0006/Third Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- hackerone.com/reports/1946470Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Node
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
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