CVE-2022-25865 in workspace-tools
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2022
The package workspace-tools before 0.18.4 are vulnerable to Command Injection via git argument injection. When calling the fetchRemoteBranch(remote: string, remoteBranch: string, cwd: string) function, both the remote and remoteBranch parameters are passed to the git fetch subcommand 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 • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25865 affects the workspace-tools package version 0.18.3 and earlier, presenting a critical command injection flaw that stems from improper input validation within the fetchRemoteBranch function. This issue specifically manifests when the function processes remote and remoteBranch parameters that are directly incorporated into git fetch commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious command-line arguments that can be interpreted by the underlying git command, thereby creating a vector for arbitrary code execution within the context of the application's privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the git fetch subcommand execution flow where user-controllable input is concatenated directly into command arguments. When the fetchRemoteBranch function accepts parameters such as remote and remoteBranch, these values are passed to the git command without proper escaping or validation, allowing attackers to append additional git flags or commands. This pattern of input handling violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the command execution flow to perform unintended operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses that arise from insufficient input sanitization and improper argument handling in system calls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise scenarios. An attacker who can control the remote and remoteBranch parameters can inject malicious commands that execute with the same privileges as the workspace-tools application, potentially leading to unauthorized access to repositories, data exfiltration, or further exploitation within the development environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning in continuous integration environments where workspace-tools might be used with elevated privileges or in automated workflows. This vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to source code repositories, potentially compromising the integrity of development processes and exposing sensitive information. The risk is amplified when workspace-tools is used in environments where multiple developers contribute code, as the injection point could be exploited through legitimate repository operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25865 require immediate patching of the workspace-tools package to version 0.18.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and argument sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement runtime protections such as input validation frameworks, argument escaping, and secure coding practices that prevent direct concatenation of user inputs into command execution contexts. The fix typically involves implementing proper parameter sanitization, using safe argument passing methods, and ensuring that all inputs are properly quoted or escaped before being passed to system commands. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive input validation across all system interfaces. Organizations should also conduct security reviews of their dependency management processes to ensure timely patching of known vulnerabilities and maintain updated security tooling to detect similar injection patterns in other components.