CVE-2024-21538

Name: CVE-2024-21538
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2024-11-08T05:15:06.453+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.7/10EPSS 0.87%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2024-21538 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.7/10 on the CVSS scale. Versions of the package cross-spawn before 6.0.6, from 7.0.0 and before 7.0.5 are vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) due to improper input sanitization. An attacker can increase the CPU usage and crash the program by crafting a very large and well crafted string.. EPSS estimates a 0.87% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Versions of the package cross-spawn before 6.0.6, from 7.0.0 and before 7.0.5 are vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) due to improper input sanitization. An attacker can increase the CPU usage and crash the program by crafting a very large and well crafted string.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

CVSS 4.0

7.7/10

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

EPSS Probability

0.87%

54.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

References

Timeline

Published: Nov 8, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Deferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-21538?

How severe is CVE-2024-21538?

CVE-2024-21538 has a CVSS score of 7.7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.87% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2024-21538?

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-2024-21538?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST