How severe is CVE-2017-16003?

CVE-2017-16003 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-16003 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-16003?

CVE-2017-16003 affects Windows-build-tools Project Windows-build-tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16003?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-16003 published?

CVE-2017-16003 was published on 2018-05-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-16003

CVE-2017-16003 is a high-severity vulnerability in Windows-build-tools Project Windows-build-tools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-311.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-311
Affected product: Windows-build-tools Project Windows-build-tools
Published: 2018-05-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

windows-build-tools is a module for installing C++ Build Tools for Windows using npm. windows-build-tools versions below 1.0.0 download resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks. It may be possible to cause remote code execution (RCE) by swapping out the requested resources with an attacker controlled copy if the attacker is on the network or positioned in between the user and the remote server.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-16003?: windows-build-tools is a module for installing C++ Build Tools for Windows using npm. windows-build-tools versions below 1.0.0 download resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks. It may be possible to cause remote code execution (RCE) by swapping out the requested resources with an attacker controlled copy if the attacker is on the network or positioned in between the user and the remote server.
How severe is CVE-2017-16003?: CVE-2017-16003 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-16003 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-16003?: CVE-2017-16003 affects Windows-build-tools Project Windows-build-tools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-16003?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-16003 published?: CVE-2017-16003 was published on 2018-05-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:windows-build-tools_project:windows-build-tools:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

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