Express.js - Debug Mode Stack Trace Disclosure
#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
"""Express.js NODE_ENV=development stack-trace disclosure."""
import re
import secrets
from kittysploit import *
from lib.protocols.http.http_client import Http_client
class Module(Scanner, Http_client):
__info__ = {
'name': 'Express.js - Debug Mode Stack Trace Disclosure',
'description': (
'Detects Express apps running with NODE_ENV=development (or similar debug error '
'handlers) by sending a GET with Content-Type: application/json and a non-JSON '
'body, then looking for a 400 response that leaks a SyntaxError stack / node_modules path.'
),
'author': ['KittySploit Team'],
'severity': 'medium',
'tags': [
'web', 'scanner', 'express', 'nodejs', 'debug', 'information-disclosure',
'misconfig', 'vuln',
],
'agent': {
'risk': 'active',
'effects': ['network_probe'],
'expected_requests': 1,
'reversible': True,
'approval_required': False,
'produces': ['tech_hints', 'risk_signals', 'endpoints'],
'cost': 0.5,
'noise': 0.2,
'value': 0.7,
'requires': {
'min_endpoints': 0,
'min_params': 0,
'tech_hints_any': [],
'tech_hints_all': [],
'specializations_any': [],
'risk_signals_any': [],
'auth_session': False,
'capabilities_any': [],
'capabilities_all': [],
'confidence_min': {},
'confidence_min_any': {},
'endpoint_pattern_any': [],
'param_any': [],
'api_surface_ready': False,
},
'chain': {
'produces_capabilities': [{'capability': 'risk_signal', 'from_detail': ''}],
'consumes_capabilities': [],
'option_bindings': {},
'suggested_followups': [],
},
},
'references': [
'https://expressjs.com/en/advanced/best-practice-performance.html#set-node_env-to-production',
],
}
path = OptString('/', 'Path to probe', required=False)
def run(self):
path = str(self.path or '/')
if not path.startswith('/'):
path = '/' + path
body = secrets.token_hex(4)
r = self.http_request(
method='GET',
path=path,
data=body,
headers={'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
allow_redirects=False,
)
if not r or r.status_code != 400:
return False
text = r.text or ''
if re.search(
r'(>SyntaxError\s*:\s*Unexpected token|at .*/node_modules/.+\.js)',
text,
):
self.set_info(
severity='medium',
reason='Express debug/error handler leaked stack trace (NODE_ENV != production)',
path=path,
)
return True
return False
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10 Aug 2026 06:19Current
5.8Medium risk
Vulners AI Score5.8