Command Injection Vulnerability in Plexus Utils 2: A Critical Security Flaw
Summary
CVE-2017-1000487: Plexus-utils before 3.0.16 is vulnerable to command injection because it does not correctly process the contents of double quoted strings. Affects plexus-utils2 across 2 version ranges.
< 3.0.22-1
< b38a1b3a4352303e4312b2bb601a0d7ec6e28f41
Fixed in 3.0.22-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Plexus Utils is a set of utility classes for the Plexus framework, widely used in various Java applications. It provides essential functionalities such as configuration management, logging, and command execution. However, versions prior to 3.0.16 are susceptible to a command injection vulnerability, which can lead to unauthorized command execution and potential system compromise.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from improper handling of double-quoted strings within the Plexus Utils library. This oversight allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands, which can be executed by the underlying system. The ramifications of this vulnerability are severe, as it can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and complete system takeover. The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical level of risk.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.0.22-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade plexus-utils2Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing input validation to sanitize user inputs and prevent command injection. This can be done by escaping special characters or using a whitelist approach to validate acceptable inputs.
Conclusion
The command injection vulnerability in Plexus Utils 2 poses a significant risk to users of the library. It is crucial to upgrade to the fixed version to ensure the security of your applications. Additionally, utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for plexus-utils2 →
FAQ
The command injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server by exploiting improper handling of input strings.
Versions of Plexus Utils prior to 3.0.22 are vulnerable to this command injection issue.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is impacted by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and complete control over the affected system.
Yes, implementing input validation and sanitization can help mitigate the risk until an upgrade can be performed.
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