CVE-2026-121745
nvm exposes NVM_AUTH_HEADER to other local users on the curl/wget command line
Node Version Manager (nvm) is a POSIX-compliant shell function for managing multiple node.js versions. In versions 0.40.0 through 0.40.8, when `NVM_AUTH_HEADER` is set, `nvm_download` passes the credential to curl or wget as a `--header "Authorization: ..."` command-line argument. Process arguments are visible to every local user (on Linux via `ps` or `/proc//cmdline` unless `/proc` is mounted with `hidepid=`; on macOS via `ps`), so another unprivileged account on the same machine can read the token while nvm is downloading during `nvm ls-remote`, `nvm install`, and similar commands, and gain whatever access it grants on the private mirror. Only users who set `NVM_AUTH_HEADER` on a host shared with other local accounts are affected. Version 0.41.0 passes the header to curl on stdin and to GNU Wget in a private temporary config file. BusyBox wget reads no config file, so when it is the only downloader available the header is still passed as an argument.
Fixes and workarounds
Fix
Upgrade to nvm 0.41.0 or later, and on a machine shared with other local users make sure curl or GNU Wget is installed (BusyBox wget still receives the header as an argument).
Source: CNA: harboristWorkaround
Until upgrading, do not set `NVM_AUTH_HEADER` on machines shared with other local users, or mount `/proc` with `hidepid=2` on Linux.
Source: CNA: harboristFix
The reporting source identifies this reference as a patch. Check the advisory for affected versions and supported release branches.
Source: CNA: harboristAffected products and versions
| Product | Versions | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| nvm nvm-sh |
≥ 0.40.0; < 0.41.0 (affected, semver)
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: harborist |
Version ranges are source assertions. Check the vendor advisory and your installed configuration before determining exposure.
CVSS assessments
| Version / score | Vector | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 / 2.0 low |
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N | CNA: harborist |
| 3.1 / 2.5 low |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N | CNA: harborist |
Exploit evidence
No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.
References
- https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm/security/advisories/GHSA-h3c2-g6gc-6cgxCNA: harborist · vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm/commit/903e3493699399d049f3af445c2d81688b6a7f5cCNA: harborist · patch
For agents and automation
Read public disclosures for free as Markdown or JSON. Compatible browsers also expose native WebMCP tools to search disclosures, read this page, and discover API access.
Use the ontology-linked Cyber API with x402 pay per request, or a Y2 Pro or Elite API key with the intel:cyber scope.
Endpoints and access details
https://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cveshttps://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cves/{cveId}
A workspace owner or admin can create a Pro or Elite API key. Send Authorization: Bearer <Y2_API_KEY> from your trusted agent runtime.
For x402, omit Authorization and read the HTTP 402 payment challenge before signing a retry. Public browser tools do not make payments.