CVE-2022-24065 in cookiecutter
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
The package cookiecutter before 2.1.1 are vulnerable to Command Injection via hg argument injection. When calling the cookiecutter function from Python code with the checkout parameter, it is passed to the hg checkout command 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 • 06/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24065 affects the cookiecutter package version 2.1.0 and earlier, presenting a critical command injection flaw that stems from improper input validation within the hg argument handling mechanism. This security weakness specifically manifests when the cookiecutter function is invoked programmatically with the checkout parameter, creating a dangerous attack surface where user-supplied input directly influences the execution of the mercurial hg checkout command. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject additional flags and commands that bypass normal execution boundaries, effectively enabling arbitrary command execution on the system where cookiecutter operates. The vulnerability resides in the package's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-provided arguments before incorporating them into system commands, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise. This issue directly maps to CWE-78, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic example of command injection vulnerabilities that have plagued software development environments for decades. The ATT&CK framework classifies this under T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system utilities to execute malicious code. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access through the compromised cookiecutter environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious checkout parameters that, when processed by the hg command, result in unintended system behavior. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because cookiecutter is commonly used in automated deployment pipelines, CI/CD environments, and development workflows where the software may execute with elevated privileges, amplifying the potential damage. The flaw demonstrates a critical gap in input validation practices where the software assumes that all inputs are safe and properly formatted, failing to implement proper sanitization or parameter escaping mechanisms. Organizations using cookiecutter in production environments face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious template repositories, compromised development environments, or supply chain attacks targeting the package ecosystem. The security implications are compounded by the fact that cookiecutter is often used in automated contexts where human oversight is minimal, making detection and mitigation more challenging. This vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including input validation, privilege separation, and regular security auditing of third-party dependencies. The remediation approach requires immediate upgrade to cookiecutter version 2.1.1 or later, which includes proper argument sanitization and escaping mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement runtime monitoring and input validation controls to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security training for developers on secure coding practices, particularly around command construction and argument handling. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their software supply chains to identify similar injection flaws in other dependencies, as the architectural patterns that enable this vulnerability are commonly found in systems that interface with external command-line tools. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing automated security scanning in development environments to prevent such vulnerabilities from reaching production systems.