Node Version Manager (nvm) is a POSIX-compliant shell function for managing multiple node.js versions. In versions 0.2.0 through 0.40.8, nvm does not check whether `.nvmrc` is a symbolic link. A repository or archive that ships `.nvmrc` as a symlink to another file (for example `../../.npmrc`, or `/proc/self/environ` on Linux) makes a plain `nvm use`, `nvm install`, `nvm which`, `nvm exec`, `nvm run`, or `nvm-exec` read that file and print its contents in the invalid-`.nvmrc` message (even with `--silent`) or, for a one-line file, in the `Found ... with version <...>` message; with the README's zsh `load-nvmrc` or bash `cdnvm` hook installed, entering the directory is enough. nvm sends the content nowhere; the attacker learns it only where they can see the victim's output, such as a CI log for a contributed branch. Version 0.41.0 still follows a symlinked `.nvmrc`, so deliberate links to another version file keep working, but never prints its content, and accepts it only if it contains a version or the name of an existing alias; the README's bash `cdnvm` hook, which read `.nvmrc` itself, now gets the version from nvm, so users of that hook must also update their copy of it.
CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access (Link Following) CWE-61UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Show the promptExplain CVE-2026-121747 for an engineer deciding whether to act. Use https://cve.bz/api/public/cves/CVE-2026-121747?via=ask-ai-copy and https://cve.bz/cve/CVE-2026-121747?via=ask-ai-copy as the source of truth: what is affected and which versions fix it, whether it is in CISA KEV, public exploits, and its EPSS (an internet-wide 30-day estimate of exploitation activity, not a forecast for my systems). If they give no fixed versions, use the CVE record https://cveawg.mitre.org/api/cve/CVE-2026-121747 or the vendor advisory, not third-party mirrors. Tell me how to check whether I am affected and how to verify a fix. Cite the sources and say where they are uncertain.
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Versions
From the CNA's record in the CVE List.
Product
Affected
nvm-sh nvm
from 0.2.0 before 0.41.0
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
CAPEC-27 Leveraging Race Conditions via Symbolic Links Likelihood: Medium · Severity: High
CAPEC-17 Using Malicious Files Likelihood: High · Severity: Very High
CAPEC-35 Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files Likelihood: High · Severity: Very High
CAPEC-76 Manipulating Web Input to File System Calls Likelihood: High · Severity: Very High
CAPEC-132 Symlink Attack Likelihood: Low · Severity: High
The attack patterns MITRE's CAPEC relates to this record's weaknesses, as MITRE names them. Credits. More on the page of CWE-200 (59).