CVE-2017-16045: Hijacked Environment Variables in jquery.js

jquery.js Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

23/07/2018
No i
High
7.5

CVE-2017-16045: jquery.js is malware. Affects jquery.js versions < 1.0.2. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The jquery.js package is a popular JavaScript library used for simplifying HTML document traversal, event handling, and animation. It is widely used in web development projects to enhance user experience and streamline development processes. However, versions 0 to 1.0.2 of the package have been found to contain malware that steals environment variables and sends them to attacker-controlled locations. This poses a significant security risk to applications utilizing these vulnerable versions of jquery.js.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in jquery.js allows an attacker to hijack environment variables and exfiltrate them to their own servers. This can lead to the compromise of sensitive information such as API keys, database credentials, and other sensitive data stored in environment variables. The attacker-controlled locations can then use this stolen information for malicious purposes, potentially gaining unauthorized access to systems or causing other security breaches. It is crucial to identify and remove the affected versions of jquery.js to mitigate this vulnerability.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

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Conclusion

The vulnerability in jquery.js (CVE-2017-16045) poses a significant security risk to applications utilizing the affected versions. It is crucial to take immediate action to remove the vulnerable version, clear the npm cache, and regenerate any exposed credentials. Additionally, review and secure any services that may have been exposed via compromised environment variables. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file and Vulert will analyze it in real-time to identify any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.

The consequences of this vulnerability can be severe. Attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems, steal sensitive data, and potentially cause significant damage to your application or infrastructure. It is crucial to address this vulnerability promptly to protect your assets.

The presence of the vulnerable version of jquery.js in your environment could be due to various factors. It could have been included as a direct dependency in your project or introduced indirectly through other dependencies. It is important to review your project's dependency tree and ensure that all dependencies are secure and up to date.

While it is recommended to fully fix the vulnerability by removing the affected version of jquery.js, you can consider implementing temporary measures to mitigate the risk. This may include restricting access to environment variables, monitoring for suspicious activity, and implementing additional security measures to protect sensitive data.

No, there is no official patch or update available for this vulnerability as the affected versions of jquery.js have been unpublished from the npm registry. The only solution is to remove the affected version and replace it with a secure and up-to-date version of the package.

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How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

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