CVE-2026-42290: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in protobufjs protobuf.js
protobufjs-cli is the command line add-on for protobuf.js. Prior to 1.2.1 and 2.0.2, pbts invoked JSDoc by building a shell command string from input file paths and executing it through child_process.exec. File paths containing shell metacharacters could therefore be interpreted by the shell instead of being passed to JSDoc as plain arguments. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.2.1 and 2.0.2.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The protobufjs-cli tool used by protobuf.js versions before 1.2.1 and 2.0.2 invokes JSDoc by building a shell command string from user-supplied file paths and executing it with child_process.exec. Because the file paths are not properly sanitized, shell metacharacters in these paths can be interpreted by the shell, leading to OS command injection (CWE-78). This vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the tool. The issue is resolved by updating to protobufjs-cli versions 1.2.1 or 2.0.2, which properly handle input sanitization.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running protobufjs-cli. This can result in full compromise of the affected system, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8 (High), reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in protobufjs-cli versions 1.2.1 and 2.0.2. Users should upgrade to these or later versions to remediate the issue. No other official remediation or temporary fixes are documented. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the vendor advisory, but the description confirms the fix in these versions.
CVE-2026-42290: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in protobufjs protobuf.js
Description
protobufjs-cli is the command line add-on for protobuf.js. Prior to 1.2.1 and 2.0.2, pbts invoked JSDoc by building a shell command string from input file paths and executing it through child_process.exec. File paths containing shell metacharacters could therefore be interpreted by the shell instead of being passed to JSDoc as plain arguments. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.2.1 and 2.0.2.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The protobufjs-cli tool used by protobuf.js versions before 1.2.1 and 2.0.2 invokes JSDoc by building a shell command string from user-supplied file paths and executing it with child_process.exec. Because the file paths are not properly sanitized, shell metacharacters in these paths can be interpreted by the shell, leading to OS command injection (CWE-78). This vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the tool. The issue is resolved by updating to protobufjs-cli versions 1.2.1 or 2.0.2, which properly handle input sanitization.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running protobufjs-cli. This can result in full compromise of the affected system, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8 (High), reflecting local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
This vulnerability is fixed in protobufjs-cli versions 1.2.1 and 2.0.2. Users should upgrade to these or later versions to remediate the issue. No other official remediation or temporary fixes are documented. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the vendor advisory, but the description confirms the fix in these versions.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-26T12:13:55.551Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a049713cbff5d8610dffde8
Added to database: 5/13/2026, 3:21:55 PM
Last enriched: 5/13/2026, 3:51:35 PM
Last updated: 5/14/2026, 6:46:34 AM
Views: 2
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