Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2017-16226 affects the static-eval Node module. If an application lets untrusted input reach affected versions, that input can escape the intended static expression evaluation and trigger arbitrary code execution. Business urgency depends on whether static-eval is present and exposed to user-controlled expressions.
Executive priority
Prioritize quickly if static-eval is in production and connected to public or tenant-controlled input. If it is only a build-time dependency with no untrusted input path, urgency is lower but cleanup remains prudent.
Technical view
Affected static-eval versions up to 1.1.1 allow untrusted input to access the global Function constructor. That breaks the module's static-analysis boundary and can result in arbitrary code execution in the Node.js process evaluating the expression.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in Node.js applications or build/runtime tooling that depend on static-eval <=1.1.1 and evaluate expressions influenced by users, tenants, content, API input, or third-party data.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The issue is still serious because successful abuse could execute code in the evaluator's process when untrusted input reaches affected static-eval behavior.
Researcher notes
CWE-20 is listed. The key primitive is access to the global Function constructor through affected static-eval evaluation. Evidence provided does not include CVSS, exploit-in-the-wild confirmation, or a specific fixed version statement.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory dependencies for static-eval and confirm resolved versions.
- Update beyond the affected range only according to maintainer or advisory guidance.
- Remove or replace static-eval where it evaluates untrusted expressions.
- Block user-controlled input from reaching affected evaluation paths.
- Add input validation and deny unexpected expression sources.
Validation and detection
- Check SBOM, package manifests, and lockfiles for static-eval <=1.1.1.
- Trace whether public routes, APIs, or content pipelines call static-eval.
- Confirm no user-controlled data reaches affected evaluation code.
- Review deployed artifacts, not only source manifests.
- Add regression tests for rejected untrusted expression input.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-16226 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://nodesecurity.io/advisories/548CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://maustin.net/articles/2017-10/static_evalCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/substack/static-eval/pull/18CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Input Validation
Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.