CVE-2026-0775 npm cli Incorrect Permission Assignment Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Local attackers can escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code by exploiting insecure module loading in the npm CLI.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-0775?
CVE-2026-0775 is a high-severity vulnerability in npm cli, published on 23 Jan 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
npm cli Incorrect Permission Assignment Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of npm cli. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of modules. The application loads modules from an unsecured location. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of a target user. Was ZDI-CAN-25430.
Weakness: CWE-732
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-0775?
How do I fix CVE-2026-0775?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Is CVE-2026-0775 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-0775 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-0775, MINI-9cqq-j3fp-3v58, ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2026-0775, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-0775.