Path traversal in npm package for Node.js

1) Path traversal

EUVDB-ID: #VU23880

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 3.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-16777

CWE-ID: CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform directory traversal attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to input validation error when processing directory traversal sequences. The software fails to prevent existing globally-installed binaries to be overwritten by other package installations. For example, if a package was installed globally and created a serve binary, any subsequent installs of packages that also create a serve binary would overwrite the first binary. This only affects files in /usr/local/bin

A remote attacker can overwrite arbitrary files on the system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

NPM: 1.1.25 - 6.13.3

External links

http://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1437

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.