CVE-2023-37478

Name: CVE-2023-37478
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-08-01T12:15:09.937+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 0.93%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-37478 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. pnpm is a package manager. It is possible to construct a tarball that, when installed via npm or parsed by the registry is safe, but when installed via pnpm is malicious, due to how pnpm parses tar archives. EPSS estimates a 0.93% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

pnpm is a package manager. It is possible to construct a tarball that, when installed via npm or parsed by the registry is safe, but when installed via pnpm is malicious, due to how pnpm parses tar archives. This can result in a package that appears safe on the npm registry or when installed via npm being replaced with a compromised or malicious version when installed via pnpm. This issue has been patched in version(s) 7.33.4 and 8.6.8.

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

0.93%

56.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-284

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Pnpm	Pnpm	< 7.33.4
Pnpm	Pnpm	>= 8.0.0, < 8.6.8

References

https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/releases/tag/v7.33.4Release Notes
https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/releases/tag/v8.6.8Release Notes
https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/security/advisories/GHSA-5r98-f33j-g8h7Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/releases/tag/v7.33.4Release Notes
https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/releases/tag/v8.6.8Release Notes
https://github.com/pnpm/pnpm/security/advisories/GHSA-5r98-f33j-g8h7Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 1, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-37478?

How severe is CVE-2023-37478?

CVE-2023-37478 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.93% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-37478?

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-2023-37478?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST