CVE-2020-15149

Name: CVE-2020-15149
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-20T01:17:12.337+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.9/10EPSS 2.43%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15149 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.9/10 on the CVSS scale. NodeBB before version 1.14.3 has a bug introduced in version 1.12.2 in the validation logic that makes it possible to change the password of any user on a running NodeBB forum by sending a specially crafted socket.io call to the server. This could lead to a privilege escalation event due via an account takeover. EPSS estimates a 2.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

NodeBB before version 1.14.3 has a bug introduced in version 1.12.2 in the validation logic that makes it possible to change the password of any user on a running NodeBB forum by sending a specially crafted socket.io call to the server. This could lead to a privilege escalation event due via an account takeover. As a workaround you may cherry-pick the following commit from the project's repository to your running instance of NodeBB: 16cee1b03ba3eee177834a1fdac4aa8a12b39d2a. This is fixed in version 1.14.3.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.9/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.43%

82.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Nodebb	Nodebb	>= 1.12.2, < 1.14.3

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159560/NodeBB-Forum-1.14.2-Account-Takeover.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/commit/c2477d9d5ffc43e5ffeb537ea2ceb4ce9592aa39Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/security/advisories/GHSA-hr66-c8pg-5mg7Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://zeroauth.ltd/blog/2020/08/20/proof-of-concept-exploit-for-cve-2020-15149-nodebb-arbitrary-user-password-change/Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159560/NodeBB-Forum-1.14.2-Account-Takeover.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/commit/c2477d9d5ffc43e5ffeb537ea2ceb4ce9592aa39Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/security/advisories/GHSA-hr66-c8pg-5mg7Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://zeroauth.ltd/blog/2020/08/20/proof-of-concept-exploit-for-cve-2020-15149-nodebb-arbitrary-user-password-change/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 20, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15149?

How severe is CVE-2020-15149?

CVE-2020-15149 has a CVSS score of 9.9/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15149?

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-2020-15149?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST