CVE-2025-13437 Arbitrary node_modules Directory Deletion in Google zx
Attackers can delete arbitrary external node_modules directories by exploiting a symlink cleanup logic error in the Google zx CLI when using the --prefer-local flag.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-13437?
CVE-2025-13437 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Google zx, published on 20 Nov 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
When zx is invoked with --prefer-local=<path>, the CLI creates a symlink named ./node_modules pointing to <path>/node_modules. Due to a logic error in src/cli.ts (linkNodeModules / cleanup), the function returns the target path instead of the alias (symlink path). The later cleanup routine removes what it received, which deletes the target directory itself. Result: zx can delete an external <path>/node_modules outside the current working directory.
Weakness: CWE-706
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-13437?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including zx.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
zx npm | All versions | 8.8.5 |
zx npm | All versions | 8.8.5 |
How do I fix CVE-2025-13437?
Upgrade zx to 8.8.5 or later.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2025-13437 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-13437 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-w87r-vg9q-crqm.