CVE-2020-28446 in ntesseract
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2022
The package ntesseract before 0.2.9 are vulnerable to Command Injection via lib/tesseract.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28446 affects the ntesseract package version 0.2.8 and earlier, presenting a critical command injection flaw within the lib/tesseract.js module. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands. The affected package is commonly used for optical character recognition tasks in node.js environments, making it a potential target for malicious actors seeking to execute arbitrary commands on systems where the package is installed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the package's reliance on shell commands to process image files and extract text content. When user-provided image paths or parameters are directly concatenated into shell execution commands without proper sanitization, attackers can inject malicious command sequences that bypass normal execution flow. This flaw aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection vulnerability that enables remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various input vectors including file names, directory paths, or parameter values that are passed to the underlying tesseract command execution functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate system resources, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Systems running vulnerable versions of ntesseract are at risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where the package is used to process untrusted user uploads or in web applications that accept file inputs. The vulnerability can be exploited through both local and remote attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or web applications where user input is processed. This represents a significant threat to application security and system integrity, as the command injection could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-28446 focus primarily on upgrading to version 0.2.9 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input filtering, parameterized command execution, and proper access controls around system resources. The remediation approach should follow established security practices including the principle of least privilege, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments of third-party dependencies. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and dependency management in software development lifecycle processes, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The fix implemented in version 0.2.9 demonstrates the necessity of robust input sanitization and proper command execution practices that align with security standards and best practices for preventing injection vulnerabilities in application code.