CVE-2018-12120: nodejs node.js Unprotected Primary Channel
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2018-12120 is a high (CVSS 8.1) Unprotected Primary Channel vulnerability in nodejs node.js. EPSS estimates a 4.28% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 91.1% of scored vulnerabilities.
Severe, CVSS 8.1 (NVD); no exploitation reported by the 5 checked sources; EPSS 4% (FIRST, 03-11-2026)
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 3 · Related 2Timeline
- 28-11-2018PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 08-10-2026Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
Node.js: All versions prior to Node.js 6.15.0: Debugger port 5858 listens on any interface by default: When the debugger is enabled with `node --debug` or `node debug`, it listens to port 5858 on all interfaces by default. This may allow remote computers to attach to the debug port and evaluate arbitrary JavaScript. The default interface is now localhost. It has always been possible to start the debugger on a specific interface, such as `node --debug=localhost`. The debugger was removed in Node.js 8 and replaced with the inspector, so no versions from 8 and later are vulnerable.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 3 sources · 3 versions- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated8.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated8.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
4.28%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
91%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
No change 0.00 pp
From 4.28% on 04-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root cause- CWE-419Unprotected Primary ChannelThe product uses a primary channel for administration or restricted functionality, but it does not properly protect the channel.
- CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control SphereThe product imports, requires, or includes executable functionality (such as a library) from a source that is outside of the intended control sphere.
Affected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Debian1 product
- nodejs< 8.9.3~dfsg-5
Nodejs1 product
- node.js≥ 6.0.0, < 6.15.0
The node.js project1 product
- node.jsAll versions prior to Node.js 6.15.0
Ubuntu1 product
- nodejs< 8.10.0~dfsg-2ubuntu0.2
4 vendors · 4 products
References
5 links- nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/november-2018-security-releases/X Refsource CONFIRMPatchVendor AdvisoryREPORT
