CVE-2021-39135
What it is
`@npmcli/arborist`, the library that calculates dependency trees and manages the node_modules folder hierarchy for the npm command line interface, aims to guarantee that package dependency contracts will be met, and the extraction of package contents will always be performed into the expected folder. This is accomplished by extracting package contents into a project's `node_modules` folder. If the `node_modules` folder of the root project or any of its dependencies is somehow replaced with a symbolic link, it could allow Arborist to write package dependencies to any arbitrary location on the file system. Note that symbolic links contained within package artifact contents are filtered out, so another means of creating a `node_modules` symbolic link would have to be employed. 1. A `preinstall` script could replace `node_modules` with a symlink. (This is prevented by using `--ignore-scripts`.) 2. An attacker could supply the target with a git repository, instructing them to run `npm install --ignore-scripts` in the root. This may be successful, because `npm install --ignore-scripts` is typically not capable of making changes outside of the project directory, so it may be deemed safe. This is patched in @npmcli/arborist 2.8.2 which is included in npm v7.20.7 and above. For more information including workarounds please see the referenced GHSA-gmw6-94gg-2rc2.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
- Exploit odds
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 8.2 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-61
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Npmjs Arborist < 2.8.2
- Oracle Graalvm 20.3.3
- Oracle Graalvm 21.2.0
- Siemens Sinec Infrastructure Network Services < 1.0.1.1
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.2
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2021-39135.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-39135. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf
- https://github.com/npm/arborist/security/advisories/GHSA-gmw6-94gg-2rc2
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf
- https://github.com/npm/arborist/security/advisories/GHSA-gmw6-94gg-2rc2
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
References
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf
- https://github.com/npm/arborist/security/advisories/GHSA-gmw6-94gg-2rc2
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/%40npmcli/arborist
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf
- https://github.com/npm/arborist/security/advisories/GHSA-gmw6-94gg-2rc2
- https://www.npmjs.com/package/%40npmcli/arborist
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html