protobufjs protobuf.js up to 1.2.0/2.0.1 child_process.exec os command injection

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in protobufjs protobuf.js up to 1.2.0/2.0.1 and classified as critical. The affected element is the function child_process.exec. The manipulation leads to os command injection. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2026-42290. The attack needs to be performed locally. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in protobufjs protobuf.js up to 1.2.0/2.0.1. This issue affects the function child_process.exec. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

protobufjs-cli is the command line add-on for protobuf.js. Prior to 1.2.1 and 2.0.2, pbts invoked JSDoc by building a shell command string from input file paths and executing it through child_process.exec. File paths containing shell metacharacters could therefore be interpreted by the shell instead of being passed to JSDoc as plain arguments. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.2.1 and 2.0.2.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-42290 since 04/26/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1202 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Upgrading to version 1.2.1 or 2.0.2 eliminates this vulnerability.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (GitHub_M): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Os command injection
CWE: CWE-78 / CWE-77 / CWE-74
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: protobuf.js 1.2.1/2.0.2

Timelineinfo

04/26/2026 CVE reserved
05/13/2026 +17 days Advisory disclosed
05/13/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
05/20/2026 +7 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: github.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-42290 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-42290
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-363611

Entryinfo

Created: 05/13/2026 18:13
Updated: 05/20/2026 09:57
Changes: 05/13/2026 18:13 (65), 05/20/2026 09:57 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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