CVE-2026-107699 in ppt2png
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2026
ppt2png through 0.0.6 contains an OS command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute operating system commands by supplying unsanitized input or output path arguments. Attackers can append shell metacharacters such as ';' to file names passed to child_process.exec() in ppt2png.js, running commands with Node.js process privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2026
The vulnerability identified within the ppt2png utility version 0.0.6 represents a critical OS command injection flaw that stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices during file path processing. This security defect allows remote or local attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands by manipulating arguments passed to the application, specifically targeting unsanitized input or output path parameters. The core technical failure lies in how the software handles user-supplied data when invoking external processes. Instead of treating file paths as static strings that are strictly validated against a whitelist of allowed characters, the application passes these values directly into shell execution functions without adequate escaping or restriction. This design oversight creates an attack vector where malicious actors can inject additional commands by appending shell metacharacters to filenames.
At the technical level, the vulnerability is exploited through the child_process.exec() function within the ppt2png.js module. When a user provides a filename containing special characters such as semicolons, pipes, or ampersands, these are interpreted not merely as part of the file name but as command delimiters by the underlying shell environment invoked by Node.js. For instance, if an attacker supplies a file named report.pdf; rm -rf /, the system interprets this as two separate commands: executing ppt2png on report.pdf and then immediately running the destructive rm command with root privileges or whatever user context is running the Node.js process. This behavior bypasses any intended security boundaries because the shell parses the entire string before execution, allowing for complex command chaining that can lead to full system compromise depending on the permissions of the executing process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly in environments where ppt2png is used as part of an automated pipeline or web service processing untrusted content. An attacker who can influence file names passed to the tool can achieve remote code execution with the privileges of the Node.js application. This could result in data exfiltration, modification of system files, installation of backdoors, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The severity is amplified if the service runs with elevated permissions, such as root on Linux systems, which would allow complete control over the host machine. Even in less privileged contexts, attackers can disrupt services, read sensitive configuration files accessible to that user, or perform denial-of-service actions by consuming system resources through malicious command execution.
This flaw aligns directly with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command commonly known as OS Command Injection. It also maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically under sub-techniques involving shell commands like cmd.exe or bash/sh. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental principle failure where user input is not treated with suspicion before being passed to system-level APIs. To mitigate this risk, developers must avoid using child_process.exec() for tasks that involve untrusted input paths. Instead, they should utilize functions like child_process.spawn() which do not invoke a shell by default and allow arguments to be passed as an array of strings, thereby preventing the shell from interpreting metacharacters. Additionally implementing strict input validation that rejects any file names containing non-alphanumeric characters except for standard extensions can provide defense in depth. Upgrading to patched versions where this issue has been resolved is essential, along with auditing other parts of the codebase for similar patterns of unsafe command execution.