CVE-2022-21235 in vcs
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
The package github.com/masterminds/vcs before 1.13.3 are vulnerable to Command Injection via argument injection. When hg is executed, argument strings are passed to hg in a way that additional flags can be set. The additional flags can be used to perform a command injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21235 affects the github.com/masterminds/vcs package version 1.13.2 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that stems from improper handling of argument strings during hg (Mercurial) command execution. This package serves as a version control system abstraction layer that facilitates interaction with various distributed version control systems including Mercurial, Git, and Subversion. The vulnerability arises specifically when the package executes Mercurial commands where user-supplied arguments are not properly sanitized or escaped before being passed to the underlying hg binary. The flaw allows attackers to inject additional command-line flags or arguments that can alter the behavior of the hg command execution process, potentially enabling arbitrary command execution on the system running the vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through argument injection mechanisms within the package's Mercurial command execution logic. When the vcs package processes version control operations involving Mercurial, it constructs command-line arguments by concatenating user-provided input directly into the hg command invocation without adequate sanitization. This pattern creates a classic command injection vector where malicious input can include additional flags or commands that get executed as part of the hg process. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-88 within the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes command separators or additional hg flags that trigger unintended behavior, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21235 extends beyond simple command injection to represent a severe security risk in environments where the affected package is used for version control operations. Systems utilizing this package for dependency management, automated builds, or continuous integration processes become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks if they process untrusted input through the vcs package. The vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including supply chain attacks where malicious dependencies are introduced, or through web applications that accept user input for version control operations. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.001, this vulnerability enables adversaries to execute commands through various interfaces including command-line shells, making it particularly dangerous in automated environments where the attack surface is expanded. The potential for privilege escalation exists if the vulnerable application runs with elevated permissions, and the impact can range from data theft to complete system compromise depending on the execution context and available privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21235 focus primarily on upgrading to version 1.13.3 or later of the github.com/masterminds/vcs package where the argument sanitization has been properly implemented. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize this package, particularly in dependency chains of critical infrastructure. The remediation process involves updating the package through standard dependency management tools while ensuring that all affected applications are retested to confirm proper functionality. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation and sanitization for any user-provided data that might be processed by version control operations, employing principle of least privilege for applications that interact with version control systems, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns in system logs. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls around systems that process version control operations to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the overall impact of any successful exploitation attempts.