CVE-2022-24999: qs before 6.10.3, as used in Express before 4.17.3 and other products, allows attackers to cause a Node proces

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-24999 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting qs, express, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

qs before 6.10.3, as used in Express before 4.17.3 and other products, allows attackers to cause a Node process hang for an Express application because an __ proto__ key can be used. In many typical Express use cases, an unauthenticated remote attacker can place the attack payload in the query string of the URL that is used to visit the application, such as a[__proto__]=b&a[__proto__]&a[length]=100000000. The fix was backported to qs 6.9.7, 6.8.3

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	15.6% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1321
Published	2022-11-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · openjsf · qs project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-11-26 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:32 UTCUpdated Record last modified

qs project qs UPGRADE

Affected: < 6.2.4 · >= 6.3.0 and < 6.3.3 · >= 6.5.0 and < 6.5.3 · >= 6.7.0 and < 6.7.3 · >= 6.8.0 and < 6.8.3 · >= 6.9.0 and < 6.9.7 · >= 6.10.0 and < 6.10.3 · 6.4.0

Fixed in: 6.2.4, 6.3.3, 6.5.3, 6.7.3, 6.8.3, 6.9.7, 6.10.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.3.0

1. Check installed version

npm ls qs

2. UPGRADE to 6.2.4

npm install qs@">=6.2.4"

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.3.0

npm view qs versions npm install qs@"<6.3.0"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

openjsf express UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.17.3

Fixed in: 4.17.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls express

2. UPGRADE to 4.17.3

npm install express@">=4.17.3"

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2022-24999?

qs: upgrade to 6.2.4, 6.3.3, 6.5.3, 6.7.3, 6.8.3, 6.9.7, 6.10.3; express: upgrade to 4.17.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-24999 being exploited?

CVE-2022-24999 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-2022-24999 affect?

CVE-2022-24999 affects qs, express, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). qs before 6.10.3, as used in Express before 4.17.3 and other products, allows attackers to cause a Node process hang for an Express application because an __ proto__ key can be used. In many typical Express use cases, an unauthenticated rem

How urgent is CVE-2022-24999?

Priority 65/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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