Command Injection Vulnerability in node-shell-quote Package
Summary
CVE-2021-42740: The shell-quote package before 1.7.3 for Node.js allows command injection. Affects node-shell-quote versions < 1.7.3+~1.7.1-1. Fixed in 1.7.3+~1.7.1-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
The node-shell-quote package is a utility for quoting shell commands in Node.js applications. It is designed to ensure that command-line arguments are properly formatted to prevent issues when executing commands. However, a flaw in its regex handling for Windows drive letters exposes it to command injection vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-42740, arises from the incorrect regex character class used in the node-shell-quote package. The regex {A-z] instead of the correct {A-Za-z] allows for the inclusion of shell metacharacters that can be exploited. If the output from this package is passed to a shell command via exec(), an attacker can inject arbitrary commands, potentially leading to severe security breaches. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical level of risk.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.7.3+~1.7.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade node-shell-quoteTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid using the node-shell-quote package for quoting shell commands until you can update to the fixed version. If you must use it, ensure that any user input is properly sanitized to prevent command injection.
Conclusion
The CVE-2021-42740 vulnerability in the node-shell-quote package poses a significant risk due to its potential for command injection. It is crucial for developers to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk and ensure the security of their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for node-shell-quote →
FAQ
CVE-2021-42740 is a command injection vulnerability found in the node-shell-quote package that allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands through improperly handled shell metacharacters.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or complete system compromise.
If an immediate update is not possible, implement input sanitization to mitigate the risk of command injection and avoid using the package until it is updated.
The CVSS score for CVE-2021-42740 is 9.8, indicating a critical level of severity.
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