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The Node.js project is gearing up for a significant security release, with updates planned for the 23.x, 22.x, 20.x, and 18.x release lines. These updates will address one high-severity vulnerability and two medium-severity vulnerabilities across most active release lines. However, this release will also mark a pivotal moment: the announcement of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) for unsupported, end-of-life (EOL) Node.js versions.

This move aims to draw attention to the risks associated with using outdated software and push developers to upgrade to supported versions of Node.js. If your application or system is still running on an unsupported Node.js version, you could be vulnerable to critical security flaws. It’s time to understand why these updates matter and how you can protect your projects.

What’s Happening?

• Security Updates: Node.js versions 23.x, 22.x, 20.x, and 18.x will receive patches to resolve one high-severity and two medium-severity vulnerabilities.
• End-of-Life CVEs: For the first time, CVEs will also be issued for EOL versions of Node.js. This means older, unsupported versions will officially be flagged as insecure by security scanning tools.
• Impact on Developers: Developers using EOL versions, such as Node.js 14 or earlier, will now see explicit warnings from tools like Snyk or npm audit. This is expected to prompt questions like, “Why does my version have a CVE?” and “How do I migrate safely?”

Why This Matters

1. Security Risks in EOL Versions When Node.js reaches its end of life, it no longer receives security patches. Running these outdated versions can leave you exposed to vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. For instance, if you’re using server-side rendering with frameworks like React or Express, and an unsupported Node.js version powers your backend, you’re putting your application and its users at significant risk.
   The upcoming CVE announcement will highlight these risks, ensuring that users understand the severity of sticking with unsupported versions.
2. Outdated Does Not Mean Stable While some developers might assume their older systems are “stable,” stability without security is a false sense of comfort. Many improvements have been made since Node.js 14 or earlier, including better performance, advanced features, and critical security enhancements. Ignoring these updates isn’t just risky—it’s negligent.
3. Real-World Impact According to Node.js download statistics, a significant number of developers still rely on EOL versions like Node.js 14. These users are inadvertently creating vulnerabilities in their projects. With the CVEs assigned, security scanning tools will explicitly flag these versions, creating urgency to upgrade.

The numbers tell a compelling story about the continued reliance on outdated Node.js versions. For example, in just the last month, Node.js 4, was downloaded over 2.3 million times. Similarly, Node.js 6, another long-unsupported version, saw 3.4 million downloads. Most strikingly, Node.js 14, was downloaded 10 million times! These figures underscore a critical challenge: many developers and organizations are still heavily dependent on versions that no longer receive security patches, leaving them exposed to known vulnerabilities. This highlights the urgent need to raise awareness and encourage migration to supported versions.

See the full graph here: https://nodedownloads.nodeland.dev/

Why Issue CVEs for EOL Versions?

This decision stems from a commitment to improve security awareness in the Node.js ecosystem. During the recent Node.js Collaborators Summit, developers reviewed download trends and found concerning levels of usage for EOL versions.

By issuing CVEs for these versions, the Node.js team is sending a clear message: Unsupported versions are inherently insecure. While this may cause some friction for developers, it is a necessary step to foster a healthier, more secure ecosystem.

The CVEs for EOL lines that will be released are:

• <= v17 CVE-2025-23087
• v19.x CVE-2025-23088
• v21.x CVE-2025-23089

How This Affects You

If your project runs on an EOL version of Node.js, here’s what will likely happen after the security release:

• Security Scanners Will Flag Your Version: Tools like Snyk, npm audit, and others will detect the CVEs and warn you that your Node.js version is insecure.
• Compliance Issues May Arise: If your project is subject to compliance standards, using an insecure version could result in audit failures or penalties.
• Increased Security Risks: Cyberattacks often target known vulnerabilities in outdated software. If your Node.js version is flagged, it becomes an attractive target for attackers.

What You Should Do

1. ** Identify if your application is vulnerable: ** Start by checking vulnerabilities. Run:

npx is-my-node-vulnerable

Compare this with the Node.js Release Schedule to see if your version is EOL.

2. Upgrade to a Supported Version If your version is unsupported, upgrade to an actively maintained version, such as 20.x, 22.x, or newer.

3. Test Thoroughly Upgrading can introduce breaking changes, especially if you’re jumping several versions. Use tools like:

   • **nvm (Node Version Manager): To test different Node.js versions locally.
   • Testing Frameworks: Ensure your unit, integration, and end-to-end tests cover critical functionality.
   • CI/CD Pipelines: Test upgrades in a staging environment before deploying to production.

4. Secure Your Dependencies Upgrading Node.js is only part of the solution. Regularly update your project dependencies using:

   npm outdated  \
   npm update \
   

5. Stay Informed Monitor NodeSource blog to stay updated on security releases and best practices.

A Smarter Way to Secure Your Node.js Applications

For developers and organizations seeking enhanced security, performance monitoring, and reliability, N|Solid is the best solution. N|Solid is an enterprise-grade platform built on Node.js, offering real-time insights, vulnerability scanning, and advanced diagnostics to ensure your applications run securely and efficiently. With features like built-in CVE monitoring and proactive alerts, N|Solid helps teams stay ahead of security risks, even as the Node.js ecosystem evolves. It’s an invaluable tool for teams navigating the challenges of upgrading and maintaining Node.js applications.

Conclusion

The upcoming security release is a wake-up call for developers still using outdated Node.js versions. By issuing CVEs for EOL versions, the Node.js team is taking a bold step to prioritize security in the ecosystem. While this may disrupt some workflows, it’s ultimately a necessary move to protect projects and users.

If you’re using an EOL version, don’t wait for your security scanner to flag it—act now. Upgrade to a supported version, secure your dependencies, and future-proof your projects. Remember, staying up-to-date isn’t just about performance or features—it’s about ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of your applications.

Let’s make the Node.js ecosystem stronger and more secure, together.