CVE-2021-43616
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if...
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
9.0
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AC:H/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/UI:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-30530
9.0
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
EUVD-2021-30530- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AC:H/AV:N/A:H/C:H/I:H/PR:N/S:C/UI:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-ppxp-px5q-gwqm
9.8
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if...
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json.
- Record
GHSA-ppxp-px5q-gwqm- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-345
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
9.0
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 7.5 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-345
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVALPINE-CVE-2021-43616
9.8
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
ALPINE-CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-03
OSVBELL-CVE-2021-43616
9.8
CVE-2021-43616 does not affect BellSoft software
- Record
BELL-CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 7 moreShow less
OSV
9.8
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2021-43616
9.8
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVRHSA-2022:4796
8.1
Red Hat Security Advisory: nodejs:16 security update
- Record
RHSA-2022:4796- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVRLSA-2022:4796
9.8
Important: nodejs:16 security update
Node.js is a software development platform for building fast and scalable network applications in the JavaScript programming language.
Security Fix(es):
- npm: npm ci succeeds when package-lock.json doesn't match package.json (CVE-2021-43616)
For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.
- Record
RLSA-2022:4796- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2021-43616
9.0
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. NOTE: The npm team believes this is not a vulnerability. It would require someone to socially engineer package.json which has different dependencies than package-lock.json. That user would have to have file system or write access to change dependencies. The npm team states preventing malicious actors from socially engineering or gaining file system access is outside the scope of the npm CLI.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2021-43616- CVSS 3.1
- 9.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVALSA-2022:4796 No score
Important: nodejs:16 security update
Node.js is a software development platform for building fast and scalable network applications in the JavaScript programming language.
Security Fix(es):
- npm: npm ci succeeds when package-lock.json doesn't match package.json (CVE-2021-43616)
For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.
- Record
ALSA-2022:4796- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2022-0294 No score
Updated nodejs packages fix security vulnerability
The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if dependency information in package-lock.json differs from package.json. This behavior is inconsistent with the documentation, and makes it easier for attackers to install malware that was supposed to have been blocked by an exact version match requirement in package-lock.json. (CVE-2021-43616)
DNS rebinding in --inspect via invalid IP addresses (CVE-2022-32212)
HTTP Request Smuggling - Flawed Parsing of Transfer-Encoding (CVE-2022-32213)
HTTP Request Smuggling - Improper Delimiting of Header Fields (CVE-2022-32214)
HTTP Request Smuggling - Incorrect Parsing of Multi-line Transfer-Encoding (CVE-2022-32215)
Attempt to read openssl.cnf from /home/iojs/build/ upon startup (CVE-2022-32222)
- Record
MGASA-2022-0294- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
npmAlpine:v3.16 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.17 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.18 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.19 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.20 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.21 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.22 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.23 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
npmAlpine:v3.24 |
7.0.0 up to 8.1.4-r0 | 8.1.4-r0 |
nodejsAlmaLinux:8 |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
Show 30 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
nodejs-develAlmaLinux:8 |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
nodejs-docsAlmaLinux:8 |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
nodejs-full-i18nAlmaLinux:8 |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 1:16.14.0-4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
nodejs-nodemonAlmaLinux:8 |
before 2.0.15-1.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 2.0.15-1.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
nodejs-nodemonAlmaLinux:8 |
before 2.0.15-1.module_el8.5.0+2605+45d748af | 2.0.15-1.module_el8.5.0+2605+45d748af |
nodejs-packagingAlmaLinux:8 |
before 25-1.module_el8.5.0+246+05401605 | 25-1.module_el8.5.0+246+05401605 |
nodejs-packagingAlmaLinux:8 |
before 25-1.module_el8.5.0+2605+45d748af | 25-1.module_el8.5.0+2605+45d748af |
npmAlmaLinux:8 |
before 1:8.3.1-1.16.14.0.4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 | 1:8.3.1-1.16.14.0.4.module_el8.6.0+2904+f21ad6f4 |
npmDebian:12 |
before 8.4.1~ds-1 | 8.4.1~ds-1 |
npmDebian:13 |
before 8.4.1~ds-1 | 8.4.1~ds-1 |
npmDebian:14 |
before 8.4.1~ds-1 | 8.4.1~ds-1 |
nodejsMageia:8 |
before 14.20.0-1.1.mga8 | 14.20.0-1.1.mga8 |
nodejsRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-debugsourceRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-docsRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-full-i18nRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-nodemonRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 0:2.0.15-1.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 0:2.0.15-1.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejs-packagingRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 0:25-1.module+el8.5.0+10992+fac5fe06 | 0:25-1.module+el8.5.0+10992+fac5fe06 |
npmRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 1:8.3.1-1.16.14.0.4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 | 1:8.3.1-1.16.14.0.4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2 |
nodejsRocky Linux:8 |
before 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+978+59f26232 | 1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+978+59f26232 |
nodejs-nodemonRocky Linux:8 |
before 0:2.0.15-1.module+el8.5.0+721+4c107270 | 0:2.0.15-1.module+el8.5.0+721+4c107270 |
nodejs-packagingRocky Linux:8 |
before 0:25-1.module+el8.6.0+1046+80feca58 | 0:25-1.module+el8.6.0+1046+80feca58 |
nodejs-packagingRocky Linux:8 |
before 0:25-1.module+el8.5.0+702+221f14e6 | 0:25-1.module+el8.5.0+702+221f14e6 |
npmUbuntu:22.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 7.5.2+ds-27.24.2+ds-17.24.2+ds-28.3.0~ds-18.3.0~ds-28.3.2~ds-18.5.0~ds-18.5.1~ds-1 |
None known |
npmUbuntu:24.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 9.2.0~ds1-19.2.0~ds1-2 |
None known |
npmUbuntu:25.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 9.2.0~ds1-3 |
None known |
npmUbuntu:26.10 |
All versions, plus listed versions 9.2.0~ds3-111.16.0+ds2-4 |
None known |
npmUbuntu:26.04:LTS |
All versions, plus listed versions 9.2.0~ds1-39.2.0~ds2-29.2.0~ds3-1 |
None known |
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PoC in GitHub | icatalina/CVE-2021-43616 | 2021-11-15 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, aliases, references | OSV | |
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-43616 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.0) in Npmjs Npm, published November 13, 2021. Its validity is disputed. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 2.72%, the 86th percentile. Fixed in npm 8.1.4-r0.
References
github.com/npm/cli/issues/2701
docs.npmjs.com/cli/v7/commands/npm-ci
github.com/icatalina/CVE-2021-43616
medium.com/cider-sec/this-time-we-were-lucky-85c0dcac94a0
security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211210-0002
github.com/npm/cli/commit/457e0ae61bbc55846f5af44afa4066921923490f
Show 26 moreShow less
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NXNVFKOF5ZYH5NIRWHKN6O6UBCHDV6FE
docs.npmjs.com/cli/v8/commands/npm-ci
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43616
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/NXNVFKOF5ZYH5NIRWHKN6O6UBCHDV6FE
github.com/advisories/GHSA-ppxp-px5q-gwqm
security.alpinelinux.org/vuln/CVE-2021-43616
errata.almalinux.org/8/ALSA-2022-4796.html
vulners.com/cve/CVE-2021-43616
docs.bell-sw.com/security/cves/CVE-2021-43616
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2021-43616
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2022-0294.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=30078
nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/july-2022-security-releases
github.com/nodejs/node/releases/tag/v14.19.0
github.com/nodejs/node/releases/tag/v14.19.1
github.com/nodejs/node/releases/tag/v14.19.2
github.com/nodejs/node/releases/tag/v14.19.3
github.com/nodejs/node/releases/tag/v14.20.0
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2022:4796
access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2050282
security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2022/rhsa-2022_4796.json
access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2021-43616
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-43616
errata.rockylinux.org/RLSA-2022:4796
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2021-43616