The npm ci command in npm 7.x and 8.x through 8.1.3 proceeds with an installation even if…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-345.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:npmjs:npm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0.0 – 7.24.2; 8.0.0 – 8.1.3 | Vulnerable | Npmjs |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:next_generation_application_programming_interface:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 35 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
- cpe:2.3:a:npmjs:npm:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0.0 – 7.24.2; 8.0.0 – 8.1.3 Vulnerable ·Npmjs
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:next_generation_application_programming_interface:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 35 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2022:4796 Released 2022-05-30 · Red Hat rating Importantnodejs:16 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) nodejs-1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2.aarch64::nodejs:16, nodejs-1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2.ppc64le::nodejs:16, nodejs-1:16.14.0-4.module+el8.6.0+15294+54b291d2.s390x::nodejs:16 +19
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2022:4796 |
Not affected: 4 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat Quay 3
- Red Hat Software Collections
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-43616
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-ppxp-px5q-gwqm
References
Exploit 2
Advisory 4
Sources
- CVE-2021-43616 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-43616 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-ppxp-px5q-gwqm · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2021-43616 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences