CVE-2026-13311: CWE-407 Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in ljharb shell-quote
CVE-2026-13311 is a high-severity vulnerability in the ljharb shell-quote library prior to version 1.8.5. The parse() function uses an inefficient algorithm that causes quadratic time complexity when processing input tokens, leading to potential denial of service by blocking the Node.js event loop. This issue affects availability only, with no code execution or data disclosure. The vulnerability is fixed in version 1.8.5.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The ljharb shell-quote library versions up to 1.8.4 contain an inefficient algorithmic complexity issue (CWE-407) in the parse() function. The function finalizes parsed tokens using Array.prototype.concat as a reduce accumulator, which reallocates and copies the entire growing array on each iteration, resulting in O(n^2) time complexity relative to input size. An attacker supplying a crafted string with space-separated tokens can cause the single-threaded Node.js event loop to be blocked for an extended period, causing a denial of service. No shell metacharacters are required for exploitation. The vulnerability impacts availability only and is fixed in version 1.8.5.
Potential Impact
This vulnerability allows an attacker to cause a denial of service by blocking the Node.js event loop with a crafted input string, impacting application availability. There is no risk of code execution or data disclosure. The severity is high due to the potential for service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in ljharb shell-quote version 1.8.5. Users should upgrade to version 1.8.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation is indicated.
CVE-2026-13311: CWE-407 Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in ljharb shell-quote
Description
CVE-2026-13311 is a high-severity vulnerability in the ljharb shell-quote library prior to version 1.8.5. The parse() function uses an inefficient algorithm that causes quadratic time complexity when processing input tokens, leading to potential denial of service by blocking the Node.js event loop. This issue affects availability only, with no code execution or data disclosure. The vulnerability is fixed in version 1.8.5.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The ljharb shell-quote library versions up to 1.8.4 contain an inefficient algorithmic complexity issue (CWE-407) in the parse() function. The function finalizes parsed tokens using Array.prototype.concat as a reduce accumulator, which reallocates and copies the entire growing array on each iteration, resulting in O(n^2) time complexity relative to input size. An attacker supplying a crafted string with space-separated tokens can cause the single-threaded Node.js event loop to be blocked for an extended period, causing a denial of service. No shell metacharacters are required for exploitation. The vulnerability impacts availability only and is fixed in version 1.8.5.
Potential Impact
This vulnerability allows an attacker to cause a denial of service by blocking the Node.js event loop with a crafted input string, impacting application availability. There is no risk of code execution or data disclosure. The severity is high due to the potential for service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in ljharb shell-quote version 1.8.5. Users should upgrade to version 1.8.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation is indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- harborist
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-25T04:39:03.579Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a3cbd214853345fc16627b6
Added to database: 06/25/2026, 05:31:13 UTC
Last enriched: 06/25/2026, 05:45:52 UTC
Last updated: 06/25/2026, 06:16:52 UTC
Views: 32
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