CVE-2023-23918: A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Node.js <19.6.1, <18.14.1, <16.19.1 and <14.21.3 that made it p

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-23918?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-23918 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting node.js. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Node.js <19.6.1, <18.14.1, <16.19.1 and <14.21.3 that made it possible to bypass the experimental Permissions (https://nodejs.org/api/permissions.html) feature in Node.js and access non authorized modules by using process.mainModule.require(). This only affects users who had enabled the experimental permissions option with --experimental-policy.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-863
Published	2023-02-23
Last modified	2026-10-24

Publisher (CNA): HackerOne · Vendor: nodejs

Last updated 2026-10-24 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-02-23 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-24 13:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nodejs node.js UPGRADE

Affected: >= 14.0.0 and <= 14.14.0 · >= 14.0.0 and < 14.21.3 · >= 16.0.0 and <= 16.12.0 · >= 16.0.0 and < 16.19.1 · >= 18.0.0 and <= 18.11.0 · >= 18.0.0 and < 18.14.1 · >= 19.0.0 and < 19.6.1

Fixed in: 14.21.3, 16.19.1, 18.14.1, 19.6.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy node.js || rpm -q node.js || node.js --version

2. UPGRADE to 14.21.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade node.js

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade node.js

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 14.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison node.js sudo apt install node.js=<VERSION_BEFORE_14.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold node.js

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list node.js sudo dnf downgrade node.js-<VERSION_BEFORE_14.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add node.js

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · gnome-shell-extension-tiling-assistant · FIXED · 56-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-ebf66a5321 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-ebf66a5321

Ubuntu 20.04 · nodejs · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 22.04 · nodejs · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.04 · nodejs · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 12 · nodejs · FIXED · 18.19.0+dfsg-6~deb12u1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade nodejs dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' nodejs)" ge "18.19.0+dfsg-6~deb12u1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · nodejs · FIXED · 18.19.0+dfsg-2

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade nodejs dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' nodejs)" ge "18.19.0+dfsg-2" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 9 · nodejs · FIXED · nodejs-16.19.1-1.el9_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:2655 rpm -q nodejs

RHEL 8 · nodejs · NOT AFFECTED

Alpine 3.20 · nodejs · FIXED · nodejs-18.14.1-r0

apk add --upgrade nodejs apk info -v nodejs

Alpine 3.21 · nodejs · FIXED · nodejs-18.14.1-r0

apk add --upgrade nodejs apk info -v nodejs

Alpine 3.22 · nodejs · FIXED · nodejs-18.14.1-r0

apk add --upgrade nodejs apk info -v nodejs

Alpine 3.23 · nodejs · FIXED · nodejs-18.14.1-r0

apk add --upgrade nodejs apk info -v nodejs

Amazon Linux 2023 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2023-2023-243 · source

sudo dnf update --advisory=ALAS2023-2023-243

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-2023-23918?

node.js: upgrade to 14.21.3, 16.19.1, 18.14.1, 19.6.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-23918 being exploited?

CVE-2023-23918 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-2023-23918 affect?

CVE-2023-23918 affects node.js. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Node.js <19.6.1, <18.14.1, <16.19.1 and <14.21.3 that made it possible to bypass the experimental Permissions (https://nodejs.org/api/permissions.html) feature in Node.js and access non authori

How urgent is CVE-2023-23918?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

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References

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