CVE-2021-31597

Name: CVE-2021-31597
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-04-23T00:15:08.283+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.4/10EPSS 2.06%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-31597 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.4/10 on the CVSS scale. The xmlhttprequest-ssl package before 1.6.1 for Node.js disables SSL certificate validation by default, because rejectUnauthorized (when the property exists but is undefined) is considered to be false within the https.request function of Node.js. In other words, no certificate is ever rejected.. EPSS estimates a 2.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The xmlhttprequest-ssl package before 1.6.1 for Node.js disables SSL certificate validation by default, because rejectUnauthorized (when the property exists but is undefined) is considered to be false within the https.request function of Node.js. In other words, no certificate is ever rejected.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.4/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.06%

78.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-295

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Xmlhttprequest-Ssl Project	Xmlhttprequest-Ssl	< 1.6.1

References

https://github.com/mjwwit/node-XMLHttpRequest/commit/bf53329b61ca6afc5d28f6b8d2dc2e3ca740a9b2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mjwwit/node-XMLHttpRequest/compare/v1.6.0...1.6.1Patch, Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://people.kingsds.network/wesgarland/xmlhttprequest-ssl-vuln.txtExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210618-0004/Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mjwwit/node-XMLHttpRequest/commit/bf53329b61ca6afc5d28f6b8d2dc2e3ca740a9b2Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/mjwwit/node-XMLHttpRequest/compare/v1.6.0...1.6.1Patch, Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://people.kingsds.network/wesgarland/xmlhttprequest-ssl-vuln.txtExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210618-0004/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Apr 23, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-31597?

How severe is CVE-2021-31597?

CVE-2021-31597 has a CVSS score of 9.4/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.06% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-31597?

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-2021-31597?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST