CVE-2017-16042 in Growl
Summary
by MITRE
Growl adds growl notification support to nodejs. Growl before 1.10.2 does not properly sanitize input before passing it to exec, allowing for arbitrary command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16042 affects the Growl notification module for nodejs, which provides desktop notification capabilities across different operating systems. This module serves as a bridge between nodejs applications and native desktop notification systems, making it a critical component in many development environments and production applications. The flaw resides in how the module handles user input when executing system commands through the exec function, creating a dangerous pathway for malicious actors to exploit. This vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the nodejs process.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the Growl module's command execution logic. When the module receives notification parameters from applications, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into system commands. This improper handling allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed through the underlying exec function, which is designed to run system commands directly. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 1.10.2, indicating that the developers had not yet implemented adequate input validation measures to prevent such injection attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is improperly handled in executable contexts. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal application usage when Growl is invoked with untrusted input.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16042 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited. An attacker who can influence the parameters passed to Growl can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability affects both development environments and production systems where nodejs applications utilize Growl for notifications, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios. Systems running vulnerable versions of Growl are at risk of being exploited by attackers who might leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, install backdoors, or perform other malicious activities. The attack surface is broad since Growl is commonly used in nodejs applications, web servers, and automated deployment scripts, meaning that exploitation could occur in multiple contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate version updates to Growl 1.10.2 or later, which contain proper input sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using vulnerable versions of the Growl module and prioritize their remediation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at application layers and using principle of least privilege for nodejs processes can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing command injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Regular security audits and dependency management practices should include verification of all third-party modules for known vulnerabilities to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.