Security Digest · Vulnerability record
CVE-2023-49210: openssl npm package vulnerable to command execution
The openssl (aka node-openssl) NPM package through 2.0.0 was characterized as "a nonsense wrapper with no real purpose" by its author, and accepts an opts argument that contains a verb field (used for command execution).
CVSS 9.8 Critical EPSS 1.9% · p80
Should you act?
Critical and remotely reachable
No known exploitation yet, but it is network-reachable without credentials. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- No confirmed exploitation. It is not in CISA’s KEV catalog. That can change quickly after a public write-up; re-check if you are affected.
- EPSS 1.9%, percentile 80: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.9% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 80% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes
openssl(npm) <= 2.0.0, no fixed version listed. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.
What it is
The openssl (aka node-openssl) NPM package through 2.0.0 was characterized as "a nonsense wrapper with no real purpose" by its author, and accepts an opts argument that contains a verb field (used for command execution). NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
From the GitHub advisory
The openssl (aka node-openssl) NPM package through 2.0.0 was characterized as "a nonsense wrapper with no real purpose" by its author, and accepts an opts argument that contains a verb field (used for command execution). NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
Weakness type: CWE-77.
Product: openssl (npm) · Assigned by: mitre · Published: 2023-11-23
Affected and fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable | First fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm | openssl | <= 2.0.0 | none listed |
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | see vendor advisory |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub | 3.1 | 9.8 | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 1.91% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 80.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by mitre
- — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-75w2-qv55-x7fv published (critical)
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vulnerability records
- GitHub Advisory GHSA-75w2-qv55-x7fv github.com
- CVE.org record CVE-2023-49210 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2023-49210 nvd.nist.gov
Other references from the CVE record and advisory
- gist.github.com gist.github.com
- github.com github.com
- npmjs.com npmjs.com