CVE-2026-121750

nvm install --offline installs a cached tarball that previously failed checksum verification

Published Nov 4, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 2.1 Low EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Node Version Manager (nvm) is a POSIX-compliant shell function for managing multiple node.js versions. In versions 0.40.5 through 0.40.8, `nvm_download_artifact` downloads a release archive directly to its final path in `$NVM_DIR/.cache` and verifies its checksum afterwards; on a checksum mismatch it reports an error but leaves the rejected archive in place. A later `nvm install --offline` of the same version installs that cached file without a checksum, so an archive that was just rejected gets installed and its `node` and `npm` run. This gives code execution to a party who can alter the downloaded tarball (for example a poisoned CDN or cache object) but cannot also forge the `SHASUMS256.txt` beside it, if the victim runs `nvm install --offline` for that version after the visible "Checksums do not match" failure and before any online retry. Version 0.41.0 only puts an archive in the cache once its checksum has passed.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade to nvm 0.41.0 or later, which removes an archive that fails verification instead of caching it.


Vendor Workaround

Until upgrading, after any "Checksums do not match" error, run `nvm cache clear` before using `nvm install --offline`.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Nvm-sh
Nvm-sh nvm
Vendors & Products Nvm-sh
Nvm-sh nvm
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Node Version Manager (nvm) is a POSIX-compliant shell function for managing multiple node.js versions. In versions 0.40.5 through 0.40.8, `nvm_download_artifact` downloads a release archive directly to its final path in `$NVM_DIR/.cache` and verifies its checksum afterwards; on a checksum mismatch it reports an error but leaves the rejected archive in place. A later `nvm install --offline` of the same version installs that cached file without a checksum, so an archive that was just rejected gets installed and its `node` and `npm` run. This gives code execution to a party who can alter the downloaded tarball (for example a poisoned CDN or cache object) but cannot also forge the `SHASUMS256.txt` beside it, if the victim runs `nvm install --offline` for that version after the visible "Checksums do not match" failure and before any online retry. Version 0.41.0 only puts an archive in the cache once its checksum has passed.
Title nvm install --offline installs a cached tarball that previously failed checksum verification
Weaknesses CWE-459
CWE-494
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 3.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 2.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
harborist
Published
Updated
Nov 9, 2026, 8:47 PM
Reserved
Nov 3, 2026, 11:39 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Nov 4, 2026, 10:17 PM
Modified
Nov 10, 2026, 9:46 PM
Severity
Low
Public date
Nov 4, 2026, 9:28 PM