Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A critical flaw in the React Native developer tool (Metro, started by the React Native Community CLI) lets anyone on the network run commands on a developer's computer without logging in. Because the tool listens on all network interfaces by default, attackers on the same Wi-Fi or with internet access to the port can take over the machine. It is a tooling problem, not a flaw in shipped mobile apps, but a compromised developer can leak source code, credentials, or signing keys.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent for any team building React Native apps. Inventory developer machines and CI runners, apply the patched CLI, and confirm Metro is not exposed beyond localhost.
Technical view
The Metro development server launched by the React Native Community CLI (@react-native-community/cli-server-api 4.8.0) binds to all interfaces and exposes an HTTP endpoint that passes attacker-controlled input into an OS command path (CWE-78). An unauthenticated POST allows execution of arbitrary executables on Linux and macOS, and full shell command execution with controlled arguments on Windows. CVSS 9.8 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reflects the unauthenticated, network-adjacent attack surface.
Likely exposure
Exposure is concentrated on developer workstations, build agents, and CI runners that start Metro via the React Native Community CLI. Risk increases sharply on shared networks, coffee-shop Wi-Fi, cloud dev environments, or any host where the dev port is reachable beyond localhost. Production servers are not directly affected, but a compromised dev box can pivot into source code, secrets, and signing material.
Exploitation context
VulnCheck publicly reports exploitation activity targeting exposed Metro servers; CISA KEV does not list this CVE at the time of analysis. The flaw is unauthenticated, network-reachable, and trivially scriptable, so any developer machine or CI host with Metro reachable on the LAN or internet should be treated as opportunistically targeted.
Researcher notes
CWE-78 OS command injection in a Metro endpoint reachable over HTTP without authentication. CVSS 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N) reflects the unauthenticated network reach. The advisory bundle lists @react-native-community/cli-server-api 4.8.0; consult the JFrog write-up and the upstream commit for exact affected ranges and the fixed version. VulnCheck's metro4shell_eitw post indicates observed exploitation; CISA KEV does not list this CVE in the bundle. Windows hosts are noted as more dangerous because attackers can fully control shell arguments.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade @react-native-community/cli-server-api past the patched commit referenced in the React Native Community CLI repository.
- Bind Metro to localhost only and block external access to its dev port at the host firewall.
- Avoid running Metro on untrusted networks until the patched CLI is in use.
- Audit CI and cloud development environments for exposed Metro instances and shut down stale processes.
- Follow vendor guidance from React Native Community CLI for any version-specific upgrade notes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory hosts running React Native Community CLI and capture the installed @react-native-community/cli-server-api version.
- Check whether Metro is listening on a non-loopback interface using netstat or lsof on the dev host.
- Confirm package.json or lockfiles resolve to a patched cli-server-api version after upgrade.
- Review proxy, EDR, or network logs for unsolicited POST requests to the Metro dev port.
- Reproduce only in an isolated lab and consult the JFrog and upstream commit references for indicators.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
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-2025-11953 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://jfrog.com/blog/cve-2025-11953-critical-react-native-community-cli-vulnerabilityCVE reference · technical-description
- https://github.com/react-native-community/cli/commit/15089907d1f1301b22c72d7f68846a2ef20df547CVE reference · patch
- https://www.vulncheck.com/blog/metro4shell_eitwCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-11953CVE reference · government-resource
- https://x.com/SzymonRybczak/status/1986199665000566848CVE reference
- https://x.com/thymikee/status/1986770875954475375CVE reference
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 Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.