CVE-2018-3772: Concatenating unsanitized user input in the `whereis` npm module < 0.4.1 allowed an attacker to execute arbitr

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-3772?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2018-3772 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting whereis. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Concatenating unsanitized user input in the `whereis` npm module < 0.4.1 allowed an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. The `whereis` module is deprecated and it is recommended to use the `which` npm module instead.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77, CWE-20
Published	2018-07-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): HackerOne · Vendor: whereis project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-07-30 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

whereis project whereis UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.4.1

Fixed in: 0.4.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls whereis

2. UPGRADE to 0.4.1

npm install whereis@">=0.4.1"

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-3772?

whereis: upgrade to 0.4.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-3772 being exploited?

CVE-2018-3772 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-3772 affect?

CVE-2018-3772 affects whereis. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Concatenating unsanitized user input in the `whereis` npm module < 0.4.1 allowed an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. The `whereis` module is deprecated and it is recommended to use the `which` npm module instead.

How urgent is CVE-2018-3772?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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