Command Injection Vulnerability in php-shellcommand Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2019-10774: php-shellcommand versions before 1.6.1 have a command injection vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution. Affects php-shellcommand versions < 1.6.1-1. Fixed in 1.6.1-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
The php-shellcommand package is a PHP library that allows users to execute shell commands from within PHP scripts. It is commonly used in web applications to perform system-level operations. However, versions prior to 1.6.1 are susceptible to a command injection vulnerability, which can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially compromising the entire system.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from improper handling of user input, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands into the shell execution context. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, where an attacker can run any command on the server with the same privileges as the web server user. The risk is particularly high in environments where the web server has elevated privileges, making it crucial for users of the php-shellcommand package to address this issue promptly.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.6.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade php-shellcommandTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate updating is not possible, consider sanitizing user inputs to prevent command injection. This can be done by validating and escaping inputs before passing them to the shell command execution functions. For example, use PHP's escapeshellarg() function to escape any arguments passed to the shell command.
Conclusion
The command injection vulnerability in the php-shellcommand package poses a significant risk to applications using versions prior to 1.6.1. It is essential to update to the latest version to safeguard against potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing input validation can help mitigate risks in the interim.
See every vulnerability recorded for php-shellcommand →
FAQ
The php-shellcommand package is a PHP library that allows the execution of shell commands from PHP scripts, enabling developers to perform system-level operations.
A command injection vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a server by injecting malicious input into a command execution context.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By uploading your manifest file like package-lock.json, you can check for vulnerabilities without needing to access the code.
Failing to fix this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and complete system compromise, especially if the web server has elevated privileges.
Yes, you can sanitize user inputs to prevent command injection by validating and escaping inputs before executing shell commands.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for php-shellcommand.
