CVE-2024-56334 in systeminformation
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2024
systeminformation is a System and OS information library for node.js. In affected versions SSIDs are not sanitized when before they are passed as a parameter to cmd.exe in the `getWindowsIEEE8021x` function. This means that malicious content in the SSID can be executed as OS commands. This vulnerability may enable an attacker, depending on how the package is used, to perform remote code execution or local privilege escalation. This issue has been addressed in version 5.23.7 and all users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The CVE-2024-56334 vulnerability resides within the systeminformation npm package, a widely used library for retrieving system and operating system information in node.js environments. This library serves as a critical component in numerous applications that require system diagnostics and network configuration data. The vulnerability specifically affects the `getWindowsIEEE8021x` function which handles wireless network information retrieval on windows systems. The flaw manifests in the improper sanitization of SSID (Service Set Identifier) values before they are passed as parameters to cmd.exe commands, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic command injection flaw where user-controllable input directly influences command execution within the operating system shell. When the systeminformation library processes wireless network configurations, it extracts SSID values from network interfaces and incorporates them into command-line arguments without proper input validation or sanitization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands through specially crafted SSID names that contain shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or pipe operators. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78 as a "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" and represents a critical security risk that can be exploited across multiple attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command injection, potentially enabling remote code execution and local privilege escalation depending on the execution context of the vulnerable application. When an application utilizing systeminformation processes network configuration data from untrusted sources, an attacker can craft a malicious SSID that, when processed by the vulnerable function, executes arbitrary commands with the privileges of the running process. This risk is particularly severe in environments where the affected package is used in web applications or services that handle user input, as it could allow attackers to gain complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the command shell to execute malicious code.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to version 5.23.7 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and validation for SSID values before they are passed to system commands. Security practitioners should prioritize this update across all systems where the vulnerable package is installed, particularly in production environments where applications may be processing network configuration data from potentially malicious sources. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected package and ensure that the upgrade process does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications. The lack of known workarounds means that organizations cannot mitigate this vulnerability through configuration changes or temporary fixes, emphasizing the critical importance of applying the official patch as soon as possible. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege when executing system commands, as any user-controllable input that influences shell execution should be thoroughly sanitized before being processed by operating system utilities.