CVE-2026-16733 in find-cypress-specs
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
A weakness has been identified in bahmutov find-cypress-specs up to 1.54.12. The impacted element is the function shell.exec of the file src/index.js of the component Branch Handler. This manipulation of the argument --branch causes os command injection. The attack is restricted to local execution. The exploit has been made available to the public and could be used for attacks. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
The vulnerability identified in bahmutov find-cypress-specs version 1.54.12 represents a critical command injection flaw that resides within the component's branch handler functionality. This weakness specifically targets the shell.exec function located in src/index.js, where user-controllable input is directly incorporated into operating system commands without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when the --branch argument is manipulated by an attacker, creating an environment where malicious code can be executed with the privileges of the affected system.
This command injection vulnerability operates under the CWE-78 classification as a classic operating system command injection flaw, where untrusted data flows into a command interpreter without adequate input validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector is constrained to local execution environments, meaning that exploitation requires an attacker to already have access to the system where the vulnerable component is installed and running. However, this limitation does not diminish the severity of the issue, as local privilege escalation opportunities often exist within development environments or CI/CD pipelines where such tools are commonly deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate test environments, access sensitive configuration data, or even compromise continuous integration systems where find-cypress-specs might be used. The fact that the exploit has been made publicly available significantly increases the risk surface, as it removes the requirement for advanced technical skills in crafting the attack vector. This public availability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of operating system commands through legitimate system utilities.
The vulnerability's persistence within the project demonstrates a concerning delay in addressing security concerns, particularly given that the issue was reported early through standard channels but has yet to receive a response from the maintainers. This lack of timely remediation represents a significant risk to users who depend on this tool for their testing infrastructure, potentially leaving numerous development environments exposed to exploitation. Organizations utilizing find-cypress-specs in their automated testing workflows should consider immediate mitigation strategies including input validation, privilege restriction, and potential temporary removal of the vulnerable component from critical systems until proper patches are implemented.
The root cause stems from inadequate input sanitization practices within the branch handler logic, where the --branch parameter is directly passed to shell.exec without appropriate escaping or validation. This pattern violates fundamental security principles of input validation and privilege separation, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be leveraged for various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of testing processes. The vulnerability's presence in a tool designed for test specification discovery makes it particularly concerning as it could potentially be exploited to manipulate test outcomes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive development environments where such tools are commonly deployed.
Organizations should implement immediate defensive measures including restricting the execution environment for find-cypress-specs, implementing strict input validation for branch parameters, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in open source tooling, particularly components that execute system commands and operate within development environments where elevated privileges may be present.