CVE-2018-21268

Name: CVE-2018-21268
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-06-25T17:15:11.567+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 4.29%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-21268 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The traceroute (aka node-traceroute) package through 1.0.0 for Node.js allows remote command injection via the host parameter. This occurs because the Child.exec() method, which is considered to be not entirely safe, is used. EPSS estimates a 4.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The traceroute (aka node-traceroute) package through 1.0.0 for Node.js allows remote command injection via the host parameter. This occurs because the Child.exec() method, which is considered to be not entirely safe, is used. In particular, an OS command can be placed after a newline character.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

4.29%

89.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-74

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Traceroute Project	Traceroute	<= 1.0.0

References

https://github.com/jaw187/node-traceroute/commit/b99ee024a01a40d3d20a92ad3769cc78a3f6386fPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/jaw187/node-traceroute/tagsThird Party Advisory
https://medium.com/%40shay_62828/shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-npm-package-a4cf7b6553e3
https://snyk.io/vuln/npm:traceroute:20160311Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/op-innovate_shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-activity-6678956453086191616-RcpyThird Party Advisory
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1465Third Party Advisory
https://www.npmjs.com/package/tracerouteProduct, Third Party Advisory
https://www.op-c.net/2020/06/17/shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-npm-package/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/jaw187/node-traceroute/commit/b99ee024a01a40d3d20a92ad3769cc78a3f6386fPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/jaw187/node-traceroute/tagsThird Party Advisory
https://medium.com/%40shay_62828/shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-npm-package-a4cf7b6553e3
https://snyk.io/vuln/npm:traceroute:20160311Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/op-innovate_shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-activity-6678956453086191616-RcpyThird Party Advisory
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1465Third Party Advisory
https://www.npmjs.com/package/tracerouteProduct, Third Party Advisory
https://www.op-c.net/2020/06/17/shell-command-injection-through-traceroute-npm-package/Exploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 25, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-21268?

How severe is CVE-2018-21268?

CVE-2018-21268 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-21268?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2018-21268?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST