What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-40185?

CVE-2023-40185 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.6%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2023-40185?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2023-40185. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 0.6%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-40185?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2023-40185. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Shescape CVE-2023-40185

HIGH

Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences (CWE-150)

2023-08-23 security-advisories@github.com

Authentication Bypass Microsoft Shescape Shescape Project

8.6

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-150 OWASP Top 10:2025 A05:2025 - Injection ASVS 5.0 V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Escape character neutralization
Impact	CVSS score of 8.6 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the high-severity affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).

Patch available 0.6% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

shescape is simple shell escape library for JavaScript. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affected Packages

npm shescape fix: 1.7.4

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in npm

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-150. shescape is simple shell escape library for JavaScript. This may impact users that use Shescape on Windows in a threaded context. The vulnerability can result in Shescape escaping (or quoting) for the wrong shell, thus allowing attackers to bypass protections depending on the combination of expected and used shell. This bug has been patched in version 1.7.4. Affected products include: Shescape Project Shescape. Version information: version 1.7.4..

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 8.6 HIGH

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

DescriptionNVD

shescape is simple shell escape library for JavaScript. This may impact users that use Shescape on Windows in a threaded context. The vulnerability can result in Shescape escaping (or quoting) for the wrong shell, thus allowing attackers to bypass protections depending on the combination of expected and used shell. This bug has been patched in version 1.7.4.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

0.6%

Top 58% exploitable

Exploit

POC

Public exploit code exists

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

GitHub

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity HIGH

CISA KEV No

Public POC Yes

EPSS 0.6%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

Poc

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Yes

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +1

CVSS: +43

PoC: +20

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication Bypass CRITICAL

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)NVD

cpe:2.3:a:shescape_project:shescape:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-150 – Improper Neutralization of Escape, Meta, or Control Sequences

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9.6

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CVE-2015-3306 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2023-22515 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2012-4681 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2013-2465 CRITICAL POC

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CVE-2011-3544 CRITICAL POC

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9.8

CVE-2025-61882 CRITICAL POC

9.8

CVE-2024-0012 CRITICAL POC

9.3

References

Advisories & patches

PATCH https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/commit/0b976dab645abf45ffd85e74a8c6e51ee2f42d63 PATCH https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/pull/1142 REF https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/releases/tag/v1.7.4

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