Description

A vulnerability has been identified in the Node.js (.msi version) installation process, specifically affecting Windows users who install Node.js using the .msi installer. This vulnerability emerges during the repair operation, where the "msiexec.exe" process, running under the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM context, attempts to read the %USERPROFILE% environment variable from the current user's registry. The issue arises when the path referenced by the %USERPROFILE% environment variable does not exist. In such cases, the "msiexec.exe" process attempts to create the specified path in an unsafe manner, potentially leading to the creation of arbitrary folders in arbitrary locations. The severity of this vulnerability is heightened by the fact that the %USERPROFILE% environment variable in the Windows registry can be modified by standard (or "non-privileged") users. Consequently, unprivileged actors, including malicious entities or trojans, can manipulate the environment variable key to deceive the privileged "msiexec.exe" process. This manipulation can result in the creation of folders in unintended and potentially malicious locations. It is important to note that this vulnerability is specific to Windows users who install Node.js using the .msi installer. Users who opt for other installation methods are not affected by this particular issue.

Severity

 

CVSS Version 3.x CVSS Version 2.0

CVSS 3.x Severity and Metrics:

NIST: NVD

Base Score:  7.5 HIGH

Vector:  CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

NVD Analysts use publicly available information to associate vector strings and CVSS scores. We also display any CVSS information provided within the CVE List from the CNA.

Note: NVD Analysts have published a CVSS score for this CVE based on publicly available information at the time of analysis. The CNA has not provided a score within the CVE List.

CVSS 2.0 Severity and Metrics:

NIST: NVD

Base Score: N/A

NVD assessment not yet provided.

NVD Analysts use publicly available information to associate vector strings and CVSS scores. We also display any CVSS information provided within the CVE List from the CNA.

Note: NVD Analysts have not published a CVSS score for this CVE at this time. NVD Analysts use publicly available information at the time of analysis to associate CVSS vector strings.

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

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Hyperlink	Resource
https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/june-2023-security-releases	Vendor Advisory

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-ID	CWE Name	Source
NVD-CWE-noinfo	Insufficient Information	NIST

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Change History

2 change records found show changes

Initial Analysis by NIST 12/01/2023 11:39:59 PM

Action	Type	Old Value	New Value
Added	CPE Configuration		OR *cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 16.0.0 up to (excluding) 16.20.1 *cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 18.0.0 up to (excluding) 18.16.1 *cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.0.0 up to (excluding) 20.3.1
Added	CVSS V3.1		NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Added	CWE		NIST NVD-CWE-noinfo
Changed	Reference Type	https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/june-2023-security-releases No Types Assigned	https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/june-2023-security-releases Vendor Advisory

New CVE Received by NIST 11/27/2023 9:15:42 PM

Action	Type	Old Value	New Value
Added	Description		Record truncated, showing 500 of 1353 characters. View Entire Change Record A vulnerability has been identified in the Node.js (.msi version) installation process, specifically affecting Windows users who install Node.js using the .msi installer. This vulnerability emerges during the repair operation, where the "msiexec.exe" process, running under the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM context, attempts to read the %USERPROFILE% environment variable from the current user's registry. The issue arises when the path referenced by the %USERPROFILE% environment variable does not exist. In
Added	Reference		HackerOne https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/june-2023-security-releases [No types assigned]