CVE-2020-7775 in freediskspace
Summary
by MITRE • 02/03/2021
This affects all versions of package freediskspace. The vulnerability arises out of improper neutralization of arguments in line 71 of freediskspace.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7775 resides within the freediskspace npm package, affecting all versions of this utility. This package is commonly used in Node.js environments to determine available disk space on a system, making it a potentially critical component in various applications and automated processes. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of command-line arguments within the freediskspace.js file, specifically at line 71 where argument neutralization fails to occur correctly. This represents a classic security oversight that can lead to serious consequences when the package is executed with untrusted input.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the argument processing logic. When the freediskspace package processes command-line arguments, it fails to adequately neutralize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands or system directives. This improper argument handling creates an environment where malicious input could be executed as part of the disk space checking process, effectively allowing for command injection attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, which specifically address improper neutralization of special elements used in system calls and command injection scenarios. The flaw operates at the intersection of input processing and system command execution, creating a pathway for adversaries to manipulate the underlying system behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or information disclosure. When exploited, the command injection could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the system where the package is installed, potentially leading to full system compromise. Applications that utilize freediskspace as a dependency, particularly those running with elevated privileges or in automated environments, become vulnerable to attacks that could result in data exfiltration, system modification, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in containerized environments or automated deployment systems where the freediskspace package might be invoked without proper user input sanitization, creating widespread attack surface exposure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the freediskspace package where the vulnerability has been patched, or removing the package entirely if it is not essential for operations. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of this package, particularly in environments where automated processes or continuous integration pipelines might invoke the utility. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level where the freediskspace package is used can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper argument sanitization and follows ATT&CK tactic T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting how seemingly benign utility packages can become attack vectors when proper security practices are not followed. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where disk space checking utilities are invoked with user-provided input.