CVE-2023-23918

Node.js: Permissions policies can be bypassed via process.mainModule

Published Feb 23, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 2.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-5589-1 nodejs security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-28000 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.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
hackerone
Published
Updated
May 8, 2025, 4:15 PM
Reserved
Jan 19, 2023, 12:00 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Feb 23, 2023, 8:15 PM
Modified
Oct 24, 2026, 1:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Feb 16, 2023, 12:00 AM