CVE-2025-59844 in sonarqube-scan-action
Summary
by MITRE • 09/26/2025
SonarQube Server and Cloud is a static analysis solution for continuous code quality and security inspection. A command injection vulnerability exists in SonarQube GitHub Action in version 4.0.0 to before version 6.0.0 when workflows pass user-controlled input to the args parameter on Windows runners without proper validation. This vulnerability bypasses a previous security fix and allows arbitrary command execution, potentially leading to exposure of sensitive environment variables and compromise of the runner environment. The vulnerability has been fixed in version 6.0.0. Users should upgrade to this version or later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-59844 affects SonarQube Server and Cloud, which are widely used static analysis platforms for continuous code quality and security inspection. This security flaw specifically targets the SonarQube GitHub Action component, creating a critical command injection vulnerability that has significant implications for CI/CD pipeline security. The vulnerability exists in versions 4.0.0 through 6.0.0, with the issue being particularly severe on Windows runners where user-controlled input is passed to the args parameter without adequate validation. This represents a serious regression in security controls, as it bypasses previous security measures that were presumably implemented to address similar command injection threats in earlier versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the GitHub Action workflow implementation. When workflows utilize the args parameter to pass user-controlled data to the SonarQube analysis process on Windows systems, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before executing commands. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands that will be executed with the privileges of the runner environment. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where user-supplied data is incorporated into shell commands without proper sanitization or encoding. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate functionality of the GitHub Actions framework while exploiting a gap in input validation that allows for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code analysis failures, creating a substantial risk to entire CI/CD infrastructure security. When successful, the command injection allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the runner environment, potentially leading to complete compromise of the build server. This exposure can result in the disclosure of sensitive environment variables, access credentials, and other confidential information that may be stored within the runner environment. The vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that rely heavily on automated security scanning within their development pipelines, as it provides a direct path to compromise the security infrastructure itself. The impact is amplified in environments where the runner has elevated privileges or access to production systems, as the compromised runner could serve as a stepping stone to broader network infiltration.
Organizations utilizing SonarQube GitHub Actions in their continuous integration workflows must immediately address this vulnerability by upgrading to version 6.0.0 or later, as this represents the official fix for the command injection issue. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive review of existing workflows to identify any instances where user input might be passed through the args parameter without proper sanitization. Security teams should implement additional monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns and consider implementing more restrictive access controls for CI/CD runners. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their existing pipeline configurations to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within their automated build and deployment processes. The fix addresses the specific bypass of previous security controls, indicating that organizations should review their overall security posture for similar regression vulnerabilities in other components of their toolchain. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and the potential risks that can arise from insufficient input validation in automated security tools. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting Windows Command Shell execution, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing security controls against lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks.