# CVE-2020-13410: Aedes improper exception handling in packet write

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-13410-aedes-improper-exception-handling-in-packet-write  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-05-06. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-13410 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2021-05-06

Aedes is an open-source MQTT broker used to manage message queuing in IoT and real-time applications. A flaw in the packet writing logic fails to properly handle exceptions, allowing an attacker to send malformed packets that cause the broker to crash, leading to service unavailability.

Technologies: [aedes (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/aedes). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-13410 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2020-13410 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2020-13410?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 6 May 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** aedes (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=0.42.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-13410?** Yes. aedes (npm): upgrade to 0.42.1 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2020-13410 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-13410?** Check whether you run aedes (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- aedes (npm): upgrade to 0.42.1 or later

  ```sh
  npm install aedes@0.42.1
  ```


## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in lib/write.js of Aedes versions prior to 0.42.1, where exceptions occurring during packet writes to a stream are not properly caught or handled (CWE-755: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions). An attacker can send a specially crafted invalid MQTT packet over the network to trigger an unhandled exception. No authentication or user interaction is required since MQTT protocol handling occurs at the network layer. A successful exploit crashes the broker process, resulting in denial of service. The fix was released in version 0.42.1.

## Affected products

- MoscaJS Aedes < 0.42.1

## Identifiers

- CVE-2020-13410
- GHSA-gh78-48h3-frjq

## Timeline

- 2020-08-26: disclosed
- 2020-05-25: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/moscajs/aedes/pull/493](https://github.com/moscajs/aedes/pull/493)

## Related threats

- [aedes incorrect authorization in Last Will processing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/aedes-incorrect-authorization-in-last-will-processing-90e624d7)
- [aedes improper authorization in last will messages](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-3778-aedes-improper-authorization-in-last-will-messages)