CVE-2019-10758: Mongo express Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2019-10758 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.9) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')) affecting Mongo express libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves remote code execution vulnerability in npm mongo-express. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 0.54.0.
CVE-2019-10758 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.9
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H).
How to Fix CVE-2019-10758
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Mongo express dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
npm install mongo-express@0.54.0Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls mongo-expressHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2019-10758, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls mongo-expressAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Mongo express in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 0.54.0), your application is affected.
Note: The npm ls mongo-express 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-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of an os command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended os command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Mongo express, 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
CVE-2019-10758 Affected Mongo express Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
mongo-express
|
npm |
< 0.54.0
|
0.54.0
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2019-10758?
Which Mongo express versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2019-10758?
Is mongo-express affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-10758?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-10758?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2019-10758?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-h47j-hc6x-h3qq",
"modified" : "2025-10-22T17:44:59Z",
"published" : "2019-12-30T19:30:31Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2019-10758" ],
"summary" : "Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in NPM mongo-express",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nRemote code execution on the host machine by any authenticated user.\n\n### Proof Of Concept\n\nLaunching mongo-express on a Mac, pasting the following into the \"create index\" field will pop open the Mac calculator:\n\n```javascript\nthis.constructor.constructor(\"return process\")().mainModule.require('child_process').execSync('/Applications/Calculator.app/Contents/MacOS/Calculator')\n```\n\n### Patches\nUsers should upgrade to version `0.54.0`\n\n### Workarounds\n_Is there a way for users to fix or remediate the vulnerability without upgrading?_\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Open an issue in [example link to repo](http://example.com)\n* Email us at [example email address](mailto:example@example.com)\n\n#### Thanks\n\n@JLLeitschuh for finding and reporting this vulnerability\n\nThis vulnerability has been [exploited](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-10758) in the wild.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "mongo-express"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "0.54.0"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/security/advisories/GHSA-h47j-hc6x-h3qq"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-10758"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/pull/522"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/commit/7d365141deadbd38fa961cd835ce68eab5731494"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/commit/d8c9bda46a204ecba1d35558452685cd0674e6f2"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/mongo-express/mongo-express/blob/ea02b364d43f179f191fc91fb9962efdb0843a8d/lib/bson.js#L60"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-MONGOEXPRESS-473215"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-10758"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-78", "CWE-94" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2019-12-30T19:29:02Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2019-12-24T22:15:11Z"
}
}