npm CLI up to 6.13.3 Install Script bin path traversal

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in npm CLI up to 6.13.3. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component Install Script. This manipulation of the argument bin causes path traversal. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2019-16776. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in npm CLI up to 6.13.3 (Software Library). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown function of the component Install Script. The manipulation of the argument bin with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Versions of the npm CLI prior to 6.13.3 are vulnerable to an Arbitrary File Write. It fails to prevent access to folders outside of the intended node_modules folder through the bin field. A properly constructed entry in the package.json bin field would allow a package publisher to modify and/or gain access to arbitrary files on a user?s system when the package is installed. This behavior is still possible through install scripts. This vulnerability bypasses a user using the --ignore-scripts install option.

The weakness was published 12/13/2019 (GitHub Repository). It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2019-16776 since 09/24/2019. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. The successful exploitation requires a single authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1006 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 253267 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2019-16776), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (253267). Similar entry is available at VDB-148870. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Software Library

Name

• npm CLI

Version

• 6.13.0
• 6.13.1
• 6.13.2
• 6.13.3

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CPE 2.2info

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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