CVE-2024-11831 – This vulnerability in npm-serialize-javascript ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-11831?

CVE-2024-11831 has a CVSS score of 5.4 (MEDIUM). This vulnerability in npm-serialize-javascript allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through improperly sanitized inputs like regex objects. When this serialized data is deserialized by web browsers, it can execute arbitrary code, leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Any web application using vulnerable versions of serialize-javascript that sends serialized data to clients is affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in npm-serialize-javascript allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through improperly sanitized inputs like regex objects. When this serialized data is deserialized by web browsers, it can execute arbitrary code, leading to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Any web application using vulnerable versions of serialize-javascript that sends serialized data to clients is affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

npm-serialize-javascript

Versions: Versions before 6.0.2

Operating Systems: All

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects applications that use serialize-javascript to serialize data that is then sent to web clients for deserialization.

⚠️ Manual Verification Required

This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.

Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).

🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.

Recommended Actions:

Review the CVE details at NVD
Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete compromise of user sessions, theft of sensitive data, account takeover, and defacement of web applications through persistent XSS.

🟠

Likely Case

Session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized actions performed on behalf of authenticated users.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper input validation and output encoding, though the vulnerability still exists at the serialization layer.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

XSS exploitation is well-understood and can be automated; the vulnerability requires attacker-controlled input to be serialized.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 6.0.2

Vendor Advisory: https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/3114

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update serialize-javascript to version 6.0.2 or later. 2. Run: npm update serialize-javascript. 3. Verify the update with: npm list serialize-javascript.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Input Validation and Sanitization

all

Implement strict input validation and sanitize all user inputs before serialization to prevent malicious payloads.

Content Security Policy (CSP)

all

Deploy a strict CSP to mitigate the impact of successful XSS exploitation by restricting script execution.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable or remove serialize-javascript usage for client-side data transmission.
Implement server-side rendering or alternative serialization methods that are not vulnerable.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check package.json or run: npm list serialize-javascript to see if version is below 6.0.2.

Check Version:

npm list serialize-javascript

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm serialize-javascript version is 6.0.2 or higher with: npm list serialize-javascript.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual serialization patterns, unexpected regex objects in serialized data, or JavaScript errors related to deserialization.

Network Indicators:

Malicious payloads in HTTP requests containing serialized data, unusual outbound traffic from web clients.

SIEM Query:

search for web application logs containing 'serialize-javascript' errors or suspicious serialized payloads.

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-11831

CVSS v3 Score: 5.4 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CWE: CWE-79

EPSS Score: 1.67% exploit probability (81.8th percentile)

Published: February 10, 2025

Last Updated: February 17, 2026

🔗 References

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