CVE-2019-15609 in kill-port-process Package
Summary
by MITRE
The kill-port-process package version < 2.2.0 is vulnerable to a Command Injection vulnerability.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2024
The kill-port-process package represents a utility designed to terminate processes running on specific ports within Node.js environments, serving as a convenient tool for developers managing local development servers and network services. This package operates by executing system commands to identify and terminate processes, making it a critical component in development workflows where port management is essential. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the package's command execution logic, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors. The issue specifically affects versions prior to 2.2.0, indicating that the maintainers were aware of the security implications but had not yet implemented proper safeguards in earlier releases.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection vulnerability that occurs when the package processes user-provided port numbers or other input parameters without adequate sanitization. When a user specifies a port number or related parameters, the package constructs system commands by concatenating these inputs directly into shell execution strings. This primitive approach to command construction allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the process owner. The vulnerability follows the classic command injection pattern documented in CWE-77, where untrusted data is incorporated into command strings without proper escaping or validation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, which get interpreted by the underlying shell during command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating potential for significant system compromise within development environments where the package is commonly used. An attacker who can influence input to the kill-port-process package can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, or further exploitation of the compromised environment. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in development contexts where developers may have elevated privileges or where the package is used in automated build processes and deployment scripts. The attack surface is broad since the package is designed to be used in various scenarios including local development, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing environments where command injection can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate version upgrading to 2.2.0 or later, which implements proper input validation and command sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their Node.js environments to identify all instances of the vulnerable package and ensure proper patching across development, testing, and production systems. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for input validation and proper command execution practices. Additionally, implementing proper security monitoring and access controls around development environments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security scanning of npm packages can identify other vulnerable dependencies in the software supply chain.