CVE-2021-34083 in Google-it
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2022
Google-it is a Node.js package which allows its users to send search queries to Google and receive the results in a JSON format. When using the 'Open in browser' option in versions up to 1.6.2, google-it will unsafely concat the result's link retrieved from google to a shell command, potentially exposing the server to RCE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-34083 affects the google-it Node.js package, which serves as a client library for performing Google searches and retrieving results in JSON format. This package provides functionality for users to programmatically interact with Google search capabilities, making it a popular choice for developers building search-based applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests in versions up to 1.6.2 where the package implements an "Open in browser" feature that enables users to automatically open search results in their default web browser. The flaw occurs when the package processes search result URLs and incorporates them into shell commands without proper sanitization or validation, creating a dangerous attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from unsafe string concatenation practices within the package's shell command execution logic. When users invoke the browser opening functionality, the package retrieves URLs from Google search results and directly appends them to shell commands without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. This unsafe concatenation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary shell commands through specially crafted search result URLs. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')", which represents a well-known class of vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into shell commands without proper escaping or validation. The attack vector specifically leverages the command injection weakness to execute arbitrary code on the server hosting the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, potentially enabling full remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker could exploit this weakness to execute malicious commands with the privileges of the user running the Node.js application, which could range from simple file system enumeration to more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, system compromise, or establishing persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal package usage patterns, making it difficult to detect and prevent. The attack surface is broad as any application using the google-it package with the browser functionality enabled becomes potentially vulnerable, affecting developers who may not be directly aware of the underlying security implications. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.003 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell", as it enables attackers to execute system commands through shell injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34083 require immediate action from affected organizations to upgrade to patched versions of the google-it package where available. The primary remediation involves updating to version 1.6.3 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and validation for shell command construction. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as using parameterized commands instead of string concatenation, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all external data sources, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor their application dependencies for similar vulnerabilities and implement automated dependency scanning to identify and remediate such issues proactively. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation when dealing with shell command execution, particularly in open-source packages that may be used across multiple applications and environments.