CVE-2021-43788
Path traversal in translator module of NobeBB
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory. 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
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Path traversal in translator module of NobeBB
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43788- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-22
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-2372
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
EUVD-2021-2372- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-pfj7-2qfw-vwgm
NodeBB vulnerable to path traversal in translator module
Impact
Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5.
Workarounds
Cherry-pick commit hash c8b2fc46dc698db687379106b3f01c71b80f495f 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-pfj7-2qfw-vwgm- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-22
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43788- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 4.0 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-22
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory. The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Record
CVE-2021-43788- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-pfj7-2qfw-vwgm
NodeBB vulnerable to path traversal in translator module
Impact
Prior to v1.18.5, a path traversal vulnerability was present that allowed users to access JSON files outside of the expected languages/ directory.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched as of v1.18.5.
Workarounds
Cherry-pick commit hash c8b2fc46dc698db687379106b3f01c71b80f495f 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-pfj7-2qfw-vwgm- CVSS 3.1
- 5.0 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-22
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
nodebbnpm |
1.0.4 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-2021-43788 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.0) in Nodebb, published November 29, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 25.8%, the 97th percentile. Fixed in nodebb 1.18.5.
References
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-2021-43788