CVE-2026-14802: React dev utils React-dev-utils OpenBrowser Permits Command Injection Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-g9g6-gvq9-j4vp
Share
CVSS 7.3
CWE-77
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-14802 is a MODERATE (CVSS 7.3) react-dev-utils openbrowser permits command injection vulnerability (CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')) affecting React dev utils libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves react-dev-utils openbrowser permits command injection on macos. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2026-14802 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-14802
GHSA Identifier GHSA-g9g6-gvq9-j4vp
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.3
CWE Classification CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Affected Product React dev utils
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.3

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability Low (A:L)

How to Fix CVE-2026-14802

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected React dev utils dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

react-dev-utils fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install react-dev-utils@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls react-dev-utils

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2026-14802, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls react-dev-utils

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of React dev utils in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls react-dev-utils command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. In React dev utils, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

A vulnerability was detected in react create-react-app up to 5.0.1 on macOS. This affects the function startBrowserProcess of the file openBrowser.js of the component react-dev-utils. Performing a manipulation results in os command injection. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. The exploit is now public and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.

CVE-2026-14802 Affected React dev utils Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
react-dev-utils
npm/react-dev-utils
npm
≤ 5.0.1

References

NVD — CVE-2026-14802 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14802
React dev utils Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/react/create-react-app/issues/17269
React dev utils Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/react/create-react-app
vuldb.com/cve/cve-2026-14802 WEB
https://vuldb.com/cve/CVE-2026-14802
vuldb.com/submit/850857 WEB
https://vuldb.com/submit/850857
vuldb.com/vuln/376396 WEB
https://vuldb.com/vuln/376396
vuldb.com/vuln/376396/cti WEB
https://vuldb.com/vuln/376396/cti

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-14802?
CVE-2026-14802 is a security vulnerability in React dev utils involving react-dev-utils openBrowser permits command injection on macOS under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection').
Which React dev utils versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: react-dev-utils.
What version fixes CVE-2026-14802?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is react-dev-utils affected?
Yes, react-dev-utils is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2026-14802?
CVE-2026-14802 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-14802?
CVE-2026-14802 is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-14802?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls react-dev-utils'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-g9g6-gvq9-j4vp",
  "modified" : "2026-10-01T21:08:55Z",
  "published" : "2026-07-06T09:30:27Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-14802" ],
  "summary" : " react-dev-utils openBrowser permits command injection on macOS",
  "details" : "A vulnerability was detected in react create-react-app up to 5.0.1 on macOS. This affects the function startBrowserProcess of the file openBrowser.js of the component react-dev-utils. Performing a manipulation results in os command injection. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. The exploit is now public and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "react-dev-utils"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "5.0.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14802"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/react/create-react-app/issues/17269"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/react/create-react-app"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://vuldb.com/cve/CVE-2026-14802"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://vuldb.com/submit/850857"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://vuldb.com/vuln/376396"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://vuldb.com/vuln/376396/cti"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-77" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-10-01T21:08:55Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-07-06T08:16:35Z"
  }
}