React Native developers need to pay attention to CVE-2025-11953 right now. This security vulnerability was found in the @react-native-community/cli package, and with around 2 million weekly downloads, it affects a massive number of projects. The issue scores 9.8 out of 10 on the CVSS scale, which is about as bad as it gets. What makes it particularly dangerous is that attackers can execute commands on your development machine without needing any credentials or special access. They just need to be on the same network.
JFrog Security researchers discovered the flaw and worked with Meta to get it fixed. The vulnerability exists in how the Metro development server handles incoming requests through its /open-url endpoint.
How attackers can exploit it
When you start your React Native project with npm start or similar commands, the Metro server binds to all network interfaces instead of just localhost. Most developers don’t realize this is happening.
The /open-url endpoint accepts POST requests but doesn’t properly sanitize the input before passing it to the system shell. Someone on your network can send a crafted request with malicious commands, and those commands will run on your machine with your user privileges.
According to the JFrog security advisory, Windows systems are particularly vulnerable to full command execution, though macOS and Linux are also at risk.
Think about what’s stored on your development machine. Source code, API keys, database credentials, customer data for testing. An attacker getting access to all that could be devastating for you and your company.
Check if you’re affected
CVE-2025-11953 affects versions 4.8.0 through 20.0.0-alpha.2 of @react-native-community/cli-server-api. Run this command in your project directory to check:
npm list @react-native-community/cli-server-api
Also check global installations:
npm list -g @react-native-community/cli-server-api
If you’re using Expo or another framework that doesn’t rely on Metro, you’re probably safe. Otherwise, you need to update immediately.
Fix it now
Update to version 20.0.0 or higher:
npm install @react-native-community/cli-server-api@latest
Do this for every React Native project on your computer, including old projects you haven’t touched recently.
If you can’t update immediately, use this temporary fix:
npx react-native start --host 127.0.0.1
This restricts the server to local connections only, blocking network attacks until you can properly update.
Why development security matters
Many developers focus security efforts on production systems while overlooking their development environments. But dev machines are valuable targets because they often contain unreleased code, credentials, and access to internal networks.
Research from OWASP shows that vulnerabilities in development dependencies are becoming common attack vectors. Attackers know developers typically have fewer security controls on local machines compared to production servers.
A compromised development environment can lead to stolen source code, injected backdoors, compromised credentials, and supply chain attacks where malicious code gets into legitimate software.
Better security practices
Keep your dependencies updated regularly. Set aside time each month to run npm audit and address any vulnerabilities found.
Work on isolated or protected networks when possible, especially from public locations like coffee shops. VPNs help but aren’t perfect if the vulnerability allows local network exploitation.
Use automated scanning tools in your workflow. Snyk, npm audit, and similar tools can catch problems early. When you see security warnings during installation, don’t ignore them just to get back to coding.
Protecting your production systems
While fixing development vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-11953 is important, your live websites need protection too. Websites face constant threats from malware, hackers, and various exploits that can compromise your business and customer data.
Regular security monitoring and scanning helps catch problems before they become disasters. If you’re concerned about your website’s security or suspect something might be wrong, professional security services can identify threats and provide clear fixes.
Services like Quape’s Security Hardening offer comprehensive website protection with expert analysis and ongoing monitoring. Prevention always costs less than dealing with a security breach after it happens.
Take action today
CVE-2025-11953 shows that the tools we use daily can have serious security flaws. The React Native community patched this quickly, but applying that patch is your responsibility.
Update your projects now, not later. Check all your React Native installations. Make security updates part of your regular routine instead of something you only think about when critical vulnerabilities hit the news.
As of November 2025, there haven’t been widespread reports of active exploitation, but proof-of-concept code is already public. Once that information is out there, it’s only a matter of time before attackers start using it.
Stay informed about security advisories for your dependencies. Apply updates promptly. Follow basic security practices. These aren’t optional anymore for responsible developers.
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