CVE-2020-28426 in kill-process-on-port
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2021
All versions of package kill-process-on-port are vulnerable to Command Injection via a.getProcessPortId.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28426 affects the kill-process-on-port npm package, which is widely used for managing process termination based on port usage. This package serves as a utility for developers and system administrators who need to programmatically identify and terminate processes that are occupying specific network ports. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the getProcessPortId method, which is responsible for extracting port information from system commands. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the package executes system commands without proper sanitization of user-provided input. The getProcessPortId method likely constructs shell commands using string concatenation or interpolation, which creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as command syntax rather than data. This pattern directly aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection vulnerability. The attack vector typically involves providing malicious input through parameters that get processed by this method, allowing an attacker to inject additional commands that execute in the context of the running process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running applications that utilize this package. When exploited, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary command execution, which could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The affected environment includes any system where the kill-process-on-port package is installed and used, particularly in development environments, CI/CD pipelines, or server applications that rely on automated process management. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in containerized environments or cloud deployments where such packages might be used to manage application lifecycles, as it could provide attackers with persistent access to underlying infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through package updates, as the maintainers have likely released patched versions addressing the command injection flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-provided data passed to system command execution functions undergoes proper filtering and escaping. The implementation of secure coding practices, including parameterized command execution and the use of whitelisting approaches, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future development. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns, and system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems using this package to identify potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.003 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for defensive measures that focus on preventing unauthorized command execution in system contexts.