CVE-2026-13311
shell-quote parse() is quadratic in token count, enabling denial of service
Description
shell-quote prior to 1.8.5 finalizes parsed tokens in parse() using Array.prototype.concat as a reduce accumulator, which reallocates and copies the entire growing array on every iteration. As a result parse() runs in O(n^2) time relative to the number of input tokens. An attacker who can supply an attacker-controlled string to any code path that calls parse() (no shell metacharacters are required; plain space-separated words suffice) can block the single-threaded Node.js event loop for an extended period with a small input, resulting in a denial of service. There is no code execution or data disclosure; impact is to availability only. Fixed in 1.8.5.
INFO
Published Date :
June 25, 2026, 5:16 a.m.
Last Modified :
June 26, 2026, 7:03 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
7ffcee3d-2c14-4c3e-b844-86c6a321a158
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 7ffcee3d-2c14-4c3e-b844-86c6a321a158 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 7ffcee3d-2c14-4c3e-b844-86c6a321a158 | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | HIGH | 7ffcee3d-2c14-4c3e-b844-86c6a321a158 |
Solution
- Update shell-quote to version 1.8.5.
- Apply patches if updating is not immediately possible.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-13311 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-13311.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv | Vendor Advisory |
| https://www.npmjs.com/package/shell-quote | Product |
| https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv | Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-13311 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-13311
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
CVEs assigned by the Harborist CNA.
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-13311 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-13311 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jun. 26, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:shell-quote_project:shell-quote:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* versions up to (excluding) 1.9.0 Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv Types: Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type harborist: https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv Types: Vendor Advisory Added Reference Type harborist: https://www.npmjs.com/package/shell-quote Types: Product -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-13311', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'poc'}, {'automatable': 'yes'}, {'technicalImpact': 'partial'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-06-25T12:49:33.455269Z'} -
New CVE Received by 7ffcee3d-2c14-4c3e-b844-86c6a321a158
Jun. 25, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'ljharb', 'product': 'shell-quote', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '0', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '1.8.4'}], 'packageName': 'shell-quote', 'collectionURL': 'https://www.npmjs.com/package', 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}] Added Description shell-quote prior to 1.8.5 finalizes parsed tokens in parse() using Array.prototype.concat as a reduce accumulator, which reallocates and copies the entire growing array on every iteration. As a result parse() runs in O(n^2) time relative to the number of input tokens. An attacker who can supply an attacker-controlled string to any code path that calls parse() (no shell metacharacters are required; plain space-separated words suffice) can block the single-threaded Node.js event loop for an extended period with a small input, resulting in a denial of service. There is no code execution or data disclosure; impact is to availability only. Fixed in 1.8.5. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H Added CWE CWE-407 Added Reference https://github.com/ljharb/shell-quote/security/advisories/GHSA-395f-4hp3-45gv Added Reference https://www.npmjs.com/package/shell-quote