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Nodebb CVE-2025-50979

HIGH
SQL Injection (CWE-89)
2025-08-27 cve@mitre.org
8.6
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Parameterized queries, prepared statements
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Persistence

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.16%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.2% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 28, 2026

NodeBB v4.3.0 is vulnerable to SQL injection in its search-categories API endpoint (/api/v3/search/categories). Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Use parameterized queries/prepared statements. Never concatenate user input into SQL. Apply least-privilege database permissions.

Affected Packages

npm nodebb no fix

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 as SQL Injection (CWE-89), which allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database. NodeBB v4.3.0 is vulnerable to SQL injection in its search-categories API endpoint (/api/v3/search/categories). The search query parameter is not properly sanitized, allowing unauthenticated, remote attackers to inject boolean-based blind and PostgreSQL error-based payloads. Affected products include: Nodebb.

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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:U/C:H/I:L/A:L

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
Low
Availability
Low

Lifecycle Timeline

2
PoC Detected
Sep 09, 2025 - 18:45 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Aug 27, 2025 - 18:15 nvd
HIGH 8.6

DescriptionCVE.org

NodeBB v4.3.0 is vulnerable to SQL injection in its search-categories API endpoint (/api/v3/search/categories). The search query parameter is not properly sanitized, allowing unauthenticated, remote attackers to inject boolean-based blind and PostgreSQL error-based payloads.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using NodeBB v4.3.0 face significant risk from CVE-2025-50979, a SQL injection vulnerability rated CVSS 8.6. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or commands on affected systems, potentially leading to full system compromise. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: Severe
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Deploy WAF rules to block injection patterns; (2) Restrict network access to affected components; (3) Enable enhanced logging for suspicious activity.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.2%
Top 63% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists

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 0.2%
Patch available No
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
Out-of-Cycle
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact
Very High

Priority Score

63
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +43
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:nodebb:nodebb:4.3.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*

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