CVE-2026-71538: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in CycloneDX cyclonedx-node-npm
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm creates CycloneDX Software Bill of Materials from npm projects. Prior to version 6.0.0, the Windows fallback path in src/npmRunner.ts, used when npm_execpath does not provide the npm CLI path, can construct a shell command containing an untrusted value from the --workspace option. When an attacker can influence that option and the fallback npm execution path is reached, shell metacharacters in the workspace value can execute arbitrary operating-system commands with the privileges of the user running the CLI, allowing data access, file modification, or service disruption. This issue is fixed in version 6.0.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability exists in the src/npmRunner.ts file of cyclonedx-node-npm versions before 6.0.0. When the npm_execpath environment variable does not provide the npm CLI path, the fallback path on Windows constructs a shell command using the --workspace option value without proper sanitization. If an attacker can influence this option, shell metacharacters can be injected, allowing arbitrary OS command execution with the privileges of the CLI user. This is classified as CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'). The vulnerability is resolved in version 6.0.0.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the user running the cyclonedx-node-npm CLI. This can lead to unauthorized data access, file modification, or disruption of services on the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade cyclonedx-node-npm to version 6.0.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-71538: CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in CycloneDX cyclonedx-node-npm
Description
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm creates CycloneDX Software Bill of Materials from npm projects. Prior to version 6.0.0, the Windows fallback path in src/npmRunner.ts, used when npm_execpath does not provide the npm CLI path, can construct a shell command containing an untrusted value from the --workspace option. When an attacker can influence that option and the fallback npm execution path is reached, shell metacharacters in the workspace value can execute arbitrary operating-system commands with the privileges of the user running the CLI, allowing data access, file modification, or service disruption. This issue is fixed in version 6.0.0.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.5high
Affected software
CycloneDX
cyclonedx-node-npm
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the src/npmRunner.ts file of cyclonedx-node-npm versions before 6.0.0. When the npm_execpath environment variable does not provide the npm CLI path, the fallback path on Windows constructs a shell command using the --workspace option value without proper sanitization. If an attacker can influence this option, shell metacharacters can be injected, allowing arbitrary OS command execution with the privileges of the CLI user. This is classified as CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'). The vulnerability is resolved in version 6.0.0.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the user running the cyclonedx-node-npm CLI. This can lead to unauthorized data access, file modification, or disruption of services on the affected system.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade cyclonedx-node-npm to version 6.0.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-06T21:24:15.375Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6aabfd7755bf5e2cf584aa13
Added to database: 09/17/2026, 14:47:19 UTC
Last enriched: 09/17/2026, 15:01:39 UTC
Last updated: 09/18/2026, 01:27:08 UTC
Views: 12
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