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An outdated frontend library with a known vulnerability

Shipshape can see some client-side library versions and match them to known CVEs. Here is what that means and how to update safely.

Your app loads frontend libraries (jQuery, Lodash, a UI framework) whose versions are sometimes visible in the page. When a visible version falls in a range with a known published vulnerability (CVE), it's worth updating — attackers scan for exactly these.

What this is, and isn't

This is a passive, version-based signal: Shipshape only flags a library when it can recover the version and that version has a documented CVE. It does not prove your app is exploitable (you may not use the affected code path), and it never claims "no vulnerabilities" — it can only see what's exposed.

The fix

1. Update the flagged library to a patched version; re-test your app.
2. Run npm audit locally for the full picture, including dependencies not visible from outside.
3. Avoid pinning to abandoned libraries; prefer maintained alternatives.

→ Run a free scan

FAQ

Does a flagged dependency mean my app is hackable?
Not necessarily. It means a visible library version matches a known CVE. You may not hit the vulnerable code path, but it is a strong signal to update — and a common thing attackers scan for.

How do I see vulnerabilities Shipshape can’t?
Run npm audit (or your package manager’s equivalent) locally. A passive external scan only sees library versions exposed in the page, not your full dependency tree.

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