# CVE-2023-26045: NodeBB vulnerable to path traversal and code execution via prototype vulnerability

> Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript files on the server via a path traversal flaw in the user export feature of NodeBB.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 24 Jul 2023
- **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vh2g-6c4x-5hmp

## What is CVE-2023-26045?

CVE-2023-26045 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in NodeBB, published on 24 Jul 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

NodeBB is Node.js based forum software. Starting in version 2.5.0 and prior to version 2.8.7, due to the use of the object destructuring assignment syntax in the user export code path, combined with a path traversal vulnerability, a specially crafted payload could invoke the user export logic to arbitrarily execute javascript files on the local disk. This issue is patched in version 2.8.7. As a workaround, site maintainers can cherry pick the fix into their codebase to patch the exploit.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-26045?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including nodebb. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `nodebb` | npm | From 2.5.0 | 2.8.7 |
| `nodebb` | npm | From 2.5.0 | 2.8.7 |

Products: Nodebb Nodebb.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-26045?

Upgrade nodebb to 2.8.7 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-26045 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-26045 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in NodeBB

- [CVE-2020-15149](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15149/): Account takeover in NodeBB (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2023-43187](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-43187/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-43786](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-43786/): API token verification can be bypassed (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-46164](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-46164/): Account takeover via prototype vulnerability (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2022-36045](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-36045/): Account takeover via cryptographically weak PRNG in NodeBB Forum (critical 9.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-26045 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-26045 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in NodeBB, published on 24 Jul 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-26045 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- nodebb (npm): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.8.7
- nodebb (npm): affected from 2.5.0; fixed in 2.8.7

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26045/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26045/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-26045
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26045
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-26045

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-26045/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.