How severe is CVE-2023-32002?

CVE-2023-32002 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-2023-32002 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-32002?

CVE-2023-32002 affects Nodejs Node.js. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-32002?

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-2023-32002 published?

CVE-2023-32002 was published on 2023-08-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-32002

CVE-2023-32002 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Nodejs Node.js 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-288.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-288
Affected product: Nodejs Node.js
Published: 2023-08-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The use of `Module._load()` can bypass the policy mechanism and require modules outside of the policy.json definition for a given module. This vulnerability affects all users using the experimental policy mechanism in all active release lines: 16.x, 18.x and, 20.x. Please note that at the time this CVE was issued, the policy is an experimental feature of Node.js.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-32002?: The use of `Module._load()` can bypass the policy mechanism and require modules outside of the policy.json definition for a given module. This vulnerability affects all users using the experimental policy mechanism in all active release lines: 16.x, 18.x and, 20.x. Please note that at the time this CVE was issued, the policy is an experimental feature of Node.js.
How severe is CVE-2023-32002?: CVE-2023-32002 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-2023-32002 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-32002?: CVE-2023-32002 affects Nodejs Node.js. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-32002?: 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-2023-32002 published?: CVE-2023-32002 was published on 2023-08-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:nodejs:node.js:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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