CVE-2023-45133: Babel is a compiler for writingJavaScript

This month

CRITICAL 9.3WATCHLISTMITIGATEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-45133 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.3) affecting debian linux, babel, babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Babel is a compiler for writingJavaScript. In `@babel/traverse` prior to versions 7.23.2 and 8.0.0-alpha.4 and all versions of `babel-traverse`, using Babel to compile code that was specifically crafted by an attacker can lead to arbitrary code execution during compilation, when using plugins that rely on the `path.evaluate()`or `path.evaluateTruthy()` internal Babel methods. Known affected plugins are `@babel/plugin-transform-runtime`; `@babel/p

Why this priority

Critical severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.3 (Critical)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 56%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-184, CWE-697
Published	2023-10-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: babeljs · debian

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-10-12 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:28 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0 · 11.0 · 12.0

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.

babeljs babel UPGRADE

Affected: < 7.23.2 · 8.0.0 alpha.0 · 8.0.0 alpha.1 · 8.0.0 alpha.2 · 8.0.0 alpha.3

Fixed in: 7.23.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls babel

2. UPGRADE to 7.23.2

npm install babel@">=7.23.2"

babeljs babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.4.3

Fixed in: 0.4.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider

2. UPGRADE to 0.4.3

npm install babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider@">=0.4.3"

babeljs babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2 UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.4.6

Fixed in: 0.4.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2

2. UPGRADE to 0.4.6

npm install babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs2@">=0.4.6"

babeljs babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs3 UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.8.5

Fixed in: 0.8.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs3

2. UPGRADE to 0.8.5

npm install babel-plugin-polyfill-corejs3@">=0.8.5"

babeljs babel-plugin-polyfill-es-shims UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.10.0

Fixed in: 0.10.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls babel-plugin-polyfill-es-shims

2. UPGRADE to 0.10.0

npm install babel-plugin-polyfill-es-shims@">=0.10.0"

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-2023-45133?

debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; babel: upgrade to 7.23.2; babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider: upgrade to 0.4.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-45133 being exploited?

CVE-2023-45133 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-2023-45133 affect?

CVE-2023-45133 affects debian linux, babel, babel-helper-define-polyfill-provider. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.3). Babel is a compiler for writingJavaScript. In `@babel/traverse` prior to versions 7.23.2 and 8.0.0-alpha.4 and all versions of `babel-traverse`, using Babel to compile code that was specifically crafted by an attacker can lead to arbitrary

How urgent is CVE-2023-45133?

Priority 49/100. Critical severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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