CVE-2017-1000220 in pidusage
Summary
by MITRE
soyuka/pidusage <=1.1.4 is vulnerable to command injection in the module resulting in arbitrary command execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000220 affects the soyuka/pidusage npm module version 1.1.4 and earlier, presenting a critical command injection flaw that enables arbitrary code execution. This security weakness stems from improper input validation within the module's implementation, specifically in how it handles process identification and usage data collection. The module, designed to monitor system resource consumption by process id, inadvertently allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands through crafted input parameters.
The technical flaw manifests when the pidusage module processes user-supplied process identifiers or related data without adequate sanitization or validation. This vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS command injection, where untrusted data is concatenated or interpolated into command strings without proper escaping or encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by providing specially crafted process identifiers or parameters that contain shell metacharacters, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the process running the vulnerable module.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when the affected module is used in web applications or server-side environments. An attacker who can influence the input to the pidusage module can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive data, install backdoors, or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web application interfaces, API endpoints, or any application that utilizes the vulnerable module to monitor system processes. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through legitimate interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000220 require immediate action to upgrade the pidusage module to version 1.1.5 or later, where the command injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of their applications, ensuring that any data passed to system commands undergoes rigorous sanitization before processing. The fix typically involves using parameterized commands, escaping special characters, or employing whitelist validation for process identifiers. Additionally, implementing proper privilege separation and sandboxing techniques can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where this module is used and ensure that the updated version is deployed across all affected systems. Regular dependency updates and security monitoring are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party libraries in modern software development environments.