CVE-2014-9682 in Dns-sync
Summary
by MITRE
The dns-sync module before 0.1.1 for node.js allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the first argument to the resolve API function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The dns-sync module for node.js versions prior to 0.1.1 contained a critical command injection vulnerability that exploited improper input validation in its resolve API function. This flaw allowed attackers to execute arbitrary system commands by injecting shell metacharacters into the first argument of the resolve function, creating a dangerous privilege escalation vector within applications that relied on this module for DNS resolution operations. The vulnerability stemmed from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input before passing it to shell commands, representing a classic command injection flaw that has been documented in numerous security frameworks and standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurred when the dns-sync module internally invoked shell commands to perform DNS lookups without proper input validation or sanitization. When attackers provided malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks in the first argument to the resolve API, these characters were interpreted by the underlying shell and executed as additional commands. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and falls under the broader category of CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The attack vector was particularly insidious because it required only a single argument to be manipulated, making it accessible to context-dependent attackers who could influence the input parameters through various means including API calls or configuration inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple command execution, as it could potentially allow attackers to gain full system control of affected node.js applications. Applications using vulnerable versions of dns-sync could be exploited to perform unauthorized operations such as data exfiltration, system file manipulation, process termination, or even privilege escalation to root or administrative accounts. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous in environments where node.js applications had elevated privileges or where the applications were exposed to untrusted input sources. This type of attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which describes command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the use of shell commands to execute malicious payloads. The attack could be executed without requiring special privileges beyond what was already available to the node.js process, making it a significant concern for containerized environments or applications running with elevated permissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate version upgrades to dns-sync 0.1.1 or later, which implemented proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should have also implemented additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization of DNS lookup parameters, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns. The fix typically involved implementing proper escaping or quoting of shell arguments and ensuring that user-supplied input was never directly passed to shell commands without adequate sanitization. Security teams should have conducted comprehensive audits of all node.js applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other third-party modules, as this type of flaw was not unique to dns-sync but represented a common pattern in poorly secured system integration components. Regular security assessments and dependency monitoring became critical practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party libraries in node.js environments.