How severe is CVE-2021-45459?

CVE-2021-45459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-45459 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-45459?

CVE-2021-45459 primarily affects Node-windows Project Node-windows. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-45459?

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

When was CVE-2021-45459 published?

CVE-2021-45459 was published on 2021-12-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-45459

CVE-2021-45459 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Node-windows Project Node-windows with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-77.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (89th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-77
Affected product: Node-windows Project Node-windows
Published: 2021-12-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

lib/cmd.js in the node-windows package before 1.0.0-beta.6 for Node.js allows command injection via the PID parameter.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-45459?: lib/cmd.js in the node-windows package before 1.0.0-beta.6 for Node.js allows command injection via the PID parameter.
How severe is CVE-2021-45459?: CVE-2021-45459 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-45459 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (89th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-45459?: CVE-2021-45459 primarily affects Node-windows Project Node-windows. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-45459?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-45459 published?: CVE-2021-45459 was published on 2021-12-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:1.0.0:beta1:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:1.0.0:beta2:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:1.0.0:beta3:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:1.0.0:beta4:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:node-windows_project:node-windows:1.0.0:beta5:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

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