CVE-2021-43787
XSS via prototype pollution
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions a prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
9.0
XSS via prototype pollution
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions a prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43787- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-79, CWE-1321
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-2408
9.0
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions a prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
EUVD-2021-2408- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc
9.0
XSS via prototype pollution in NodeBB
Impact
A prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5.
Workarounds
Cherry-pick commit hash 1783f918bc19568f421473824461ff2ed7755e4c to receive this patch in lieu of a full upgrade.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
9.0
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions a prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43787- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 4.3 Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-79, CWE-1321
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
6.1
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions a prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43787- CVSS 3.1
- 6.1 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc
9.0
XSS via prototype pollution in NodeBB
Impact
A prototype pollution vulnerability in the uploader module allowed a malicious user to inject arbitrary data (i.e. javascript) into the DOM, theoretically allowing for an account takeover when used in conjunction with a path traversal vulnerability disclosed at the same time as this report.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5.
Workarounds
Cherry-pick commit hash 1783f918bc19568f421473824461ff2ed7755e4c to receive this patch in lieu of a full upgrade.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Email us at [email protected]
- Record
GHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-79
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
nodebbnpm |
1.15.0 up to 1.18.5 | 1.18.5 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-43787 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.0) in Nodebb, published November 29, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.32%, the 70th percentile. Fixed in nodebb 1.18.5.
References
github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/security/advisories/GHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc
github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/commit/1783f918bc19568f421473824461ff2ed7755e4c
github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/releases/tag/v1.18.5
blog.sonarsource.com/nodebb-remote-code-execution-with-one-shot
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43787
github.com/advisories/GHSA-wx69-rvg3-x7fc
github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB