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GHSA-hcwq-x9fw-8cfq
No affected components available
Summary
The @apostrophecms/cli package contains a command injection vulnerability in the apos create command. User-supplied input from the password prompt is embedded directly into a shell command without proper sanitization or escaping. This allows execution of arbitrary commands on the host system.
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Details
Vulnerable file: lib/commands/create.js Location: Line 186
The CLI collects a password using an interactive prompt and passes it directly into a shell command.
Vulnerable code:
const response = await prompts({ type: 'password', name: 'pw', message: '🔏 Please enter a password:' });
exec(echo "${response.pw}" | ${createUserCommand});
The value of response.pw is not validated, sanitized, or escaped before being used in exec().
This allows shell metacharacters such as ;, &&, and $() to break out of the intended command and execute arbitrary commands.
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Steps to Reproduce
- Install the CLI npm install -g @apostrophecms/cli
- Create a new project mkdir testproject && cd testproject apos create mysite 3)When prompted for the admin password, enter "; id > /tmp/apos_rce_proof.txt; echo " 4)Verify command execution cat /tmp/apos_rce_proof.txt
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Proof of Concept Output
uid=1000(vboxuser) gid=1000(vboxuser) groups=1000(vboxuser),27(sudo),984(docker)
This confirms arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the user running the CLI.
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Impact
Arbitrary command execution on the developer’s machine Execution occurs with the privileges of the user running the CLI
This can lead to:
File modification or deletion Credential exposure System compromise depending on user privileges
An attacker can exploit this by influencing the password input (for example, through social engineering, malicious documentation, or compromised automation scripts).
The proof-of-concept shows execution under a user belonging to privileged groups such as sudo and docker, which may allow further privilege escalation depending on system configuration.
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Suggested Fix
Avoid using exec() with user-controlled input.
Use execFile() instead:
const { execFileSync } = require('child_process');
execFileSync('node', [appJsPath, userTask, 'admin', 'admin'], { input: response.pw + '\n' });
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Affected Version
All current versions of @apostrophecms/cli
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Tested On
Ubuntu 22.04 Node.js v18.19.1
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CWE
CWE-78 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
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The vulnerability requires local access to the device to be exploited. It is easy for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability. An attacker needs high-level or administrative privileges. The attacker needs the user to perform some action, like clicking a link. 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.
Exploitation attempts have been detected. Elevated vigilance and prompt remediation are advised.
The exploit probability is very low. The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited in the next 30 days.
We did not find any exploit available. Neither in GitHub repositories nor in the Exploit-Database.
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