CVE-2021-23356: This affects all versions of package kill-process-by-name

This week

MEDIUM 5.6REMOTEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-23356 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.6) affecting kill-process-by-name. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

This affects all versions of package kill-process-by-name. If (attacker-controlled) user input is given, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanitization in the index.js file.

Why this priority

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

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.6 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2021-03-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Snyk · Vendor: kill-process-by-name project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-03-15 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:38 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kill-process-by-name project kill-process-by-name MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls kill-process-by-name

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

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-2021-23356?

kill-process-by-name: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-23356 being exploited?

CVE-2021-23356 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-2021-23356 affect?

CVE-2021-23356 affects kill-process-by-name. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.6). This affects all versions of package kill-process-by-name. If (attacker-controlled) user input is given, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanit

How urgent is CVE-2021-23356?

Priority 46/100. Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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