CVE-2017-5941

Code Execution through IIFE in node-serialize

Affected versions of node-serialize can be abused to execute arbitrary code via an immediately invoked function expression (IIFE) if untrusted user input is passed into unserialize().

Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect. Typical impact: arbitrary code execution or logic abuse.

CVE-2017-5941 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. No fixed version is listed yet, so configuration controls and monitoring matter more in the interim.

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There is no direct patch for this issue. The package author has reviewed this advisory, and provided the following recommendation:

To avoid the security issues, at least one of the following methods should be taken:

1. Make sure to send serialized strings internally, isolating them from potential hackers. For example, only sending the strings from backend to fronend and always using HTTPS instead of HTTP.

2. Introduce public-key cryptosystems (e.g. RSA) to ensure the strings not being tampered with.

1. What is CVE-2017-5941? CVE-2017-5941 is a critical-severity insecure deserialization vulnerability in node-serialize (npm), affecting versions <= 0.0.4. No fixed version is listed yet. Untrusted serialized data is processed by a deserializer that can instantiate arbitrary objects or execute code as a side effect.
2. How severe is CVE-2017-5941? CVE-2017-5941 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of node-serialize are affected by CVE-2017-5941? node-serialize (npm) versions <= 0.0.4 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2017-5941? No fixed version is listed for CVE-2017-5941 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.
5. Is CVE-2017-5941 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2017-5941 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2017-5941 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2017-5941? No fixed version is listed yet. In the interim: Avoid deserializing data from untrusted sources. If deserialization is required, use a format that does not support code execution and validate the input strictly.