CVE-2025-12816: High Severity In Node-forge-0.10.0

by Alex Johnson 51 views

This article delves into the high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2025-12816, detected in the node-forge-0.10.0.tgz library. We will break down the vulnerability details, its potential impact, and the recommended steps to mitigate this security risk. This vulnerability was identified within the context of the vk-org and test-test-kvv-org projects, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and timely patching of software dependencies.

Vulnerability Overview

The vulnerability lies within the node-forge-0.10.0.tgz library, a JavaScript implementation providing network transports, cryptography, ciphers, PKI, message digests, and various utilities. The library is widely used in Node.js environments for secure communication and data handling. However, this particular version contains a flaw that can be exploited by attackers, leading to significant security breaches. The following sections will dissect the vulnerability in detail, including its nature, impact, and how it can be addressed.

Vulnerable Library: node-forge-0.10.0.tgz

The vulnerable library is node-forge-0.10.0.tgz. Node-forge is a comprehensive collection of cryptographic tools for JavaScript, making it a crucial component in many web applications and services. The vulnerability in this version exposes applications to potential security threats. It's crucial for developers and system administrators to understand the implications and take prompt action to upgrade to a secure version. The library can be found at its npm registry URL: https://registry.npmjs.org/node-forge/-/node-forge-0.10.0.tgz.

  • Library Description: JavaScript implementations of network transports, cryptography, ciphers, PKI, message digests, and various utilities.
  • Library Home Page: https://registry.npmjs.org/node-forge/-/node-forge-0.10.0.tgz
  • Path to Dependency File: /package.json
  • Path to Vulnerable Library: /node_modules/node-forge/package.json

Dependency Hierarchy

Understanding the dependency hierarchy is critical to identifying how the vulnerable library is integrated into your project. In this case, node-forge-0.10.0.tgz is nested within several layers of dependencies, starting from the root library vuepress-1.8.2.tgz. The dependency chain is as follows:

  • vuepress-1.8.2.tgz (Root Library)
    • core-1.8.2.tgz
      • webpack-dev-server-3.11.2.tgz
        • selfsigned-1.10.11.tgz
          • :x: node-forge-0.10.0.tgz (Vulnerable Library)

This hierarchy indicates that node-forge is a transitive dependency, meaning it's not directly included in the project but rather pulled in as a dependency of another library (selfsigned-1.10.11.tgz). Identifying such transitive dependencies is crucial for comprehensive vulnerability management.

The vulnerability was found in the HEAD commit 78776de9cc77d23eaeff13ab901de4a59cee0dec and the base branch main of the vk-org/test-test-kvv-org repository. This information helps pinpoint the exact location of the vulnerability within the project's codebase and commit history.

Vulnerability Details

The core of CVE-2025-12816 lies in an interpretation-conflict vulnerability, specifically CWE-436, present in node-forge versions 1.3.1 and earlier. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to craft ASN.1 structures. These crafted structures can desynchronize schema validations, resulting in a semantic divergence. This divergence can then bypass downstream cryptographic verifications and security decisions, effectively undermining the security measures in place.

Interpretation-Conflict (CWE-436)

The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) categorizes this vulnerability as CWE-436, highlighting the conflict in interpretation during the processing of ASN.1 structures. ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One) is a standard interface description language used for serializing data structures. The vulnerability arises when the parsing and validation of these structures are not consistently handled, leading to potential bypasses of security checks. By exploiting this, an attacker can manipulate data in a way that is accepted by one part of the system but rejected or misinterpreted by another, thereby circumventing security measures.

Impact of the Vulnerability

The consequences of this vulnerability are severe. Attackers can exploit it to bypass cryptographic verifications, leading to a range of malicious activities. These include but are not limited to:

  • Data tampering: Attackers can alter data transmitted or stored, compromising data integrity.
  • Authentication bypass: Attackers can forge identities and gain unauthorized access to systems and resources.
  • Man-in-the-middle attacks: Attackers can intercept and modify communications between parties, compromising confidentiality and integrity.

Publication and References

The vulnerability was published on November 25, 2025, and further details can be found on the Mend vulnerability database.

CVSS 3 Score Details (8.6)

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) provides a standardized way to assess the severity of vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-12816 has a CVSS 3 base score of 8.6, which classifies it as a high-severity vulnerability. This score is derived from several metrics that evaluate the exploitability and impact of the vulnerability.

Base Score Metrics

The base score is calculated from two sets of metrics: Exploitability and Impact.

Exploitability Metrics

These metrics reflect the ease and means by which the vulnerability can be exploited.

  • Attack Vector: Network
    • This indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited over a network, meaning attackers can launch attacks remotely.
  • Attack Complexity: Low
    • This suggests that the vulnerability is easy to exploit, requiring minimal effort from the attacker.
  • Privileges Required: None
    • No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, meaning any attacker can attempt to exploit it without needing prior authorization.
  • User Interaction: None
    • No user interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability, making it easier for attackers to exploit without the need for social engineering or other user-dependent tactics.
  • Scope: Changed
    • A Changed scope indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, potentially impacting other parts of the system.

Impact Metrics

These metrics assess the potential consequences of a successful exploit.

  • Confidentiality Impact: None
    • This indicates that there is no impact on data confidentiality; attackers cannot gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Integrity Impact: High
    • This signifies a significant impact on data integrity; attackers can modify or corrupt data.
  • Availability Impact: None
    • This suggests that there is no impact on system availability; attackers cannot disrupt services or prevent legitimate users from accessing the system.

Understanding the Score

The high CVSS score of 8.6 underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability. The combination of a network attack vector, low complexity, no required privileges or user interaction, and a high impact on integrity makes it a significant threat. Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation.

For more information on CVSS3 Scores, you can refer to the CVSS Calculator.

Suggested Fix

The recommended solution to address CVE-2025-12816 is to upgrade the node-forge library to a version that includes the fix for this vulnerability. The suggested fix is version 1.3.2 or later.

Upgrade Version

Upgrading to the latest version of node-forge ensures that the vulnerability is patched, and the system is protected against potential attacks. The upgrade process typically involves updating the dependency in your project's package.json file and running the appropriate package manager command (e.g., npm install or yarn upgrade).

Origin and Release Date

The advisory on GitHub provides further details about the vulnerability and the fix. The fix was released on November 25, 2025, coinciding with the publication date of the vulnerability.

Fix Resolution

To resolve the vulnerability, upgrade node-forge to version 1.3.2. This can be achieved by updating your project's dependencies to use this version. You can also directly reference the Git repository for the fixed version: https://github.com/digitalbazaar/forge.git - v1.3.2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE-2025-12816 represents a significant security vulnerability in the node-forge-0.10.0.tgz library. Its high CVSS score and the potential for severe impact necessitate immediate action. By understanding the vulnerability details, dependency hierarchy, and suggested fix, developers and system administrators can effectively mitigate the risk and protect their applications. Upgrading to node-forge version 1.3.2 or later is crucial for ensuring the security and integrity of your systems. Continuous monitoring and timely patching of dependencies remain vital practices in maintaining a robust security posture.

To further enhance your understanding and management of open source security, consider exploring resources like Mend, which offers comprehensive solutions for identifying and remediating vulnerabilities.