CVE-2021-23360 in killport Package
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2021
This affects the package killport before 1.0.2. If (attacker-controlled) user input is given, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanitization. Running this PoC will cause the command touch success to be executed, leading to the creation of a file called success.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-23360 represents a critical command injection flaw in the killport package version 1.0.1 and earlier. This security issue stems from the improper handling of user input within the package's execution logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the package processes attacker-controlled input through the child_process exec function, which lacks proper input sanitization mechanisms. This design flaw allows adversaries to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable package, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-78 as a "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" which is a well-known weakness in software security that directly enables command injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker provides malicious input to the killport package, which then passes this unvalidated data directly to the child_process.exec function. This function executes shell commands, making it possible for attackers to chain multiple commands together using shell metacharacters like semicolons, ampersands, or pipes. The proof of concept mentioned in the description demonstrates this by executing the command touch success, which creates a file named success in the current directory. However, the actual impact of such vulnerabilities can be far more severe, potentially allowing attackers to execute system commands, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or even establish persistent backdoors on compromised systems. The vulnerability exists in the package's handling of process management and input validation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the package might be used with untrusted input sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-23360 extends beyond simple file creation, as command injection vulnerabilities can lead to complete system compromise when exploited properly. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, deploy malware, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive information from affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in development environments or CI/CD pipelines where the killport package might be used to manage network ports and processes, as these environments often have elevated privileges. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through shell interfaces. Organizations using vulnerable versions of killport should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority security concern, especially in environments where the package might be invoked with user-provided data or in automated processes that could be manipulated by attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-23360 require immediate action to upgrade to version 1.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting package installation permissions, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of npm packages used in their environments. The fix typically involves replacing the vulnerable child_process.exec calls with safer alternatives like child_process.execFile or by properly sanitizing input before passing it to shell execution functions. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies, using sandboxed execution environments for package management, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom applications. Regular security audits of third-party dependencies and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes are essential for preventing exploitation of such command injection vulnerabilities in production environments.