CVE-2016-10541 in shell-quote
Summary
by MITRE
The npm module "shell-quote" 1.6.0 and earlier cannot correctly escape ">" and "<" operator used for redirection in shell. Applications that depend on shell-quote may also be vulnerable. A malicious user could perform code injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10541 resides within the npm module shell-quote version 1.6.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines shell command construction processes. This issue specifically targets the improper handling of shell redirection operators, namely the greater than ">" and less than "<" characters, which are fundamental components of shell command syntax used for input/output redirection. The flaw exists in the module's escaping mechanism that fails to properly sanitize these operators when constructing shell commands, creating a pathway for malicious input to be interpreted as shell commands rather than literal strings.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the shell-quote module's parsing algorithms. When applications utilize this module to construct shell commands from user-provided input, the improper escaping of redirection operators allows attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands. The vulnerability manifests when the module processes strings containing these characters without sufficient escaping, enabling attackers to manipulate shell execution flow through carefully crafted input that bypasses intended security boundaries. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into shell command execution without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate module to encompass all applications that depend on shell-quote for shell command construction. Attackers can exploit this weakness by providing malicious input that contains redirection operators, potentially allowing them to overwrite files, execute unauthorized commands, or gain unintended access to system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where shell-quote is used to construct commands for system administration tasks, file operations, or process management, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges or compromise system integrity. The flaw creates a persistent risk that remains active until the vulnerable module is updated or replaced.
Organizations should address this vulnerability through immediate remediation efforts including updating to shell-quote version 1.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper operator escaping. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits to identify all applications utilizing vulnerable versions of the module, particularly those handling user input in shell command contexts. Security teams should implement input validation measures and consider alternative approaches to shell command construction that minimize reliance on potentially vulnerable modules. Additionally, organizations should review their dependency management practices to ensure timely updates and consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect similar issues across their software supply chains. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands and command injection vulnerabilities. The attack pattern follows typical command injection techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution phase, where adversaries leverage system shell access to run malicious commands and establish persistence within compromised systems.