How to Get Security Patches for Legacy Unsupported Node.js Versions
Are you still running Node.js 12, 14, or even older versions in production? If so, you’re facing a serious challenge: these versions have reached End-of-Life (EOL) and no longer receive official updates or security patches.
For many organizations, especially those operating on legacy environments like RHEL 7 or Ubuntu 18.04, upgrading to the latest Node.js version isn’t always feasible. Strict compliance rules, infrastructure dependencies, or mission-critical workloads make modernization a slow and costly process.
The problem is clear: unsupported Node.js versions leave your applications vulnerable to security risks, performance issues, and compliance violations.
So, what’s the solution when upgrading immediately isn’t an option?
The Legacy Node.js Dilemma
Node.js is an incredible platform, fast, lightweight, and ideal for building modern applications. But its accelerated release cycle means older versions quickly become unsupported.
For teams in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government, upgrading is far from simple:
- Compliance barriers prevent quick OS or runtime changes
- Critical dependencies tied to specific OS versions
- Time-intensive testing and validation before any deployment \
This often leaves businesses stuck between two bad choices:
- Risk: Run outdated, vulnerable Node.js versions
- Disruption: Undertake a costly, immediate migration project
Unsupported Node.js = Unpatched vulnerabilities = Open doors for attackers.
Introducing NodeSource Extended Support
To solve this problem, we built NodeSource Extended Support for Node.js—a service that delivers security and stability for organizations that can’t upgrade immediately.
What Does Extended Support Include?
With NodeSource Extended Support, you get:
✅ Enterprise-Grade Security Patches for EOL Node.js versions
✅ Regular Maintenance Builds tailored for legacy environments
✅ Full Compatibility with RHEL 7, Ubuntu 18.04, and x86-64 systems
✅ Optional Support Tiers for mission-critical production workloads
✅ Installation Scripts & Automation designed for your infrastructure
✅ Affordable Pricing as an alternative to disruptive upgrades
This is more than patching vulnerabilities, it’s a bridge to modernization. You can keep mission-critical apps running securely while planning your migration on your own terms.
Why Choose NodeSource Extended Support?
Official Node.js support ends when a version reaches EOL. Here’s what that means compared to NodeSource Extended Support:
| Feature | Official Node.js | NodeSource Extended Support |
| Security Updates | Until EOL | Ongoing for legacy versions |
| Maintenance Builds | Until EOL | Yes, tailored for your OS |
| Legacy OS Compatibility | Limited | Full (RHEL 7, Ubuntu 18.04) |
| Enterprise Support Options | No | Yes |
| Compliance-Focused Solutions | No | Yes |
Who Is Extended Support For?
- Enterprises running legacy infrastructure
- Healthcare, Finance, and Government organizations with compliance constraints
- Teams that need stability without rushing into disruptive migrations
Why It Matters
Without Extended Support, businesses are forced to choose between security risks and massive upgrades. NodeSource Extended Support eliminates this trade-off, giving you:
✔ Security – Stay protected against vulnerabilities
✔ Stability – Keep mission-critical apps running
✔ Time – Plan modernization on your schedule, not under pressure
Stay Secure on Legacy Node.js Versions
Don’t let unsupported Node.js versions put your business at risk. Learn more about NodeSource Extended Support today.