How severe is CVE-2023-32559?

CVE-2023-32559 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-32559 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-32559?

CVE-2023-32559 affects Nodejs Node.js. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-32559?

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-2023-32559 published?

CVE-2023-32559 was published on 2023-08-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-32559

CVE-2023-32559 is a high-severity vulnerability in Nodejs Node.js with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (71st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Nodejs Node.js
Published: 2023-08-24
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the experimental policy mechanism in all active release lines: 16.x, 18.x and, 20.x. The use of the deprecated API `process.binding()` can bypass the policy mechanism by requiring internal modules and eventually take advantage of `process.binding('spawn_sync')` run arbitrary code, outside of the limits defined in a `policy.json` file. 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-2023-32559?: A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the experimental policy mechanism in all active release lines: 16.x, 18.x and, 20.x. The use of the deprecated API `process.binding()` can bypass the policy mechanism by requiring internal modules and eventually take advantage of `process.binding('spawn_sync')` run arbitrary code, outside of the limits defined in a `policy.json` file. Please note that at the time this CVE was issued, the policy is an experimental feature of Node.js.
How severe is CVE-2023-32559?: CVE-2023-32559 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-32559 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (71st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-32559?: CVE-2023-32559 affects Nodejs Node.js. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-32559?: 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-2023-32559 published?: CVE-2023-32559 was published on 2023-08-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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

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