systeminformation has path traversal in Linux networkStats() that allows symlink-based file disclosure outside /sys/class/net

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS

3.3 · CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

EPSS

• CVE-2026-116673: 0.13% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 2.40 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary On Linux, `systeminformation@5.33.13` builds `/sys/class/net/ ` paths from the caller-supplied `networkStats(iface)` value without checking that the resolved path stays inside `/sys/class/net`. A caller who can create a symlink fixture and control the value passed to this API can make the function return the first line of a file readable by the Node process.

Details The strict string sanitizer removes shell metacharacters but retains `/` and `.`. The Linux implementation uses this value in an `fs.existsSync('/sys/class/net/' + iface)` check and then in seven `cat` paths for interface statistics. Both operations follow `..` path components and symlinks. The code does not validate the value as an interface name or enforce resolved-path containment. The proof of concept below creates the expected statistics files in a directory writable by the unprivileged `nobody` user. Its `operstate` symlink points to a synthetic mode-0600 file under `/root`. The package call runs as…

Published by the source

28 Oct 2026, 21:13 UTC

Last modified by the source

28 Oct 2026, 21:30 UTC

Source last checked

29 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTC

1. Revision 2 · amended · 29 Oct 2026

   Amended from osv record GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g

2. Revision 1 · created · 28 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-116673

Advisory: systeminformation has path traversal in Linux networkStats() that allows symlink-based file disclosure outside /sys/class/net
IDs: CVE-2026-116673, GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-116673 (revision 2, source checked 29 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Low (CVSS 3.3)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: systeminformation 5.33.14. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm systeminformation: affected < 5.33.14; fixed in 5.33.14

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls systeminformation --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on systeminformation.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g lists affected ranges: npm systeminformation >=0 <5.33.14)
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g (OSV record GHSA-4vjg-vx72-qq4g lists affected ranges: npm systeminformation >=0 <5.33.14 (fixed))

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