CVE-2022-31179 is a code injection vulnerability identified in the 'shescape' JavaScript package, specifically versions prior to 1.5.8. Shescape is designed to safely escape shell arguments for Windows command-line interpreter (cmd.exe). The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special characters, specifically the line feed character ('\n'), which can be injected into arguments passed to cmd.exe. An attacker can exploit this by including a line feed character in their input, causing the shell to interpret the input as multiple commands rather than a single escaped argument. This allows the attacker to truncate or omit all arguments following their input, potentially injecting arbitrary commands into the shell execution context. The root cause is classified under CWE-74, which relates to improper neutralization of special elements in output used by downstream components, leading to injection attacks. The vulnerability is specific to Windows environments where cmd.exe is used and affects any API function in shescape that escapes arguments for this shell. The issue was patched in version 1.5.8 of shescape by properly handling or disallowing line feed characters in inputs. Mitigation can also be achieved by manually stripping out line feed characters or ensuring that user input is positioned as the last argument to limit injection impact, although these are less robust than upgrading. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and the vulnerability was publicly disclosed on August 1, 2022. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction beyond supplying crafted input to the vulnerable API. The scope is limited to applications using shescape on Windows platforms, particularly those invoking cmd.exe with user-supplied arguments.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the extent to which they use the shescape package in their JavaScript applications running on Windows environments. If exploited, attackers could execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or disruption of services. This could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Organizations that use shescape in backend services, automation scripts, or any system that processes untrusted input to invoke Windows shell commands are at risk. The injection could be leveraged to execute malicious payloads, pivot within networks, or disrupt critical operations. While no exploits are currently known in the wild, the ease of exploitation via crafted input and the widespread use of JavaScript in enterprise environments means the risk remains relevant. The impact is particularly significant for sectors with high reliance on Windows-based automation or legacy systems, including manufacturing, finance, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, organizations that integrate third-party JavaScript libraries without rigorous vetting may inadvertently expose themselves. The vulnerability’s medium severity reflects the moderate likelihood and impact, but targeted attacks could escalate consequences.

1. Immediate upgrade to shescape version 1.5.8 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement input validation and sanitization to strip or reject line feed ('\n') characters before passing inputs to shescape functions. 3. Where upgrading is not immediately feasible, restructure command invocations so that user input is the last argument, limiting the ability to inject additional commands. 4. Employ application-layer security controls such as strict allowlists for command arguments and runtime monitoring for anomalous shell command executions. 5. Conduct code audits and dependency reviews to identify and remediate usage of vulnerable shescape versions. 6. Use containerization or sandboxing to limit the impact of potential command injection exploits. 7. Enhance logging and alerting on command execution failures or unexpected shell invocations to detect exploitation attempts early. 8. Educate developers on secure coding practices related to shell command construction and the risks of injection vulnerabilities. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on specific controls around input handling, dependency management, and runtime protections tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.