CVE-2026-121748

What it is

Node Version Manager (nvm) is a POSIX-compliant shell function for managing multiple node.js versions. In versions 0.27.0 through 0.40.8, when a project's `.npmrc` sets `prefix`, `nvm use` tells the user to run `nvm use --delete-prefix`, which runs `npm config delete prefix` and `npm config delete globalconfig` in the current directory without naming a config file. npm loads the project `.npmrc` before deciding which file to edit, so that file chooses the target: `userconfig=~/.bashrc` makes npm rewrite `~/.bashrc` as ini (corrupting it), and `location=global` with `globalconfig=` leaves the chosen file at mode 0666, which on a shared machine lets another local user write to it. The attacker (the author of a cloned repository or archive, or a local user who can write a shared parent directory) chooses the file but not the bytes written, and no project code runs. Version 0.41.0 no longer lets a project `.npmrc` select which config file `--delete-prefix` edits.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-11-04 22:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-11-04 22:17 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 1.8 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-11-04 22:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-11-04 22:17 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-73

Record status

Received

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 1.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

Present

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Active

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-121748.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-121748. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge