Versions of the npm CLI prior to 6.13.3 are vulnerable to a symlink reference outside of node_modules. It is possible for packages to create symlinks to files outside of thenode_modules
folder through the bin
field upon installation. A properly constructed entry in the package.json bin field would allow a package publisher to create a symlink pointing to arbitrary files on a userβs system when the package is installed. Only files accessible by the user running the npm install
are affected.
This behavior is still possible through install scripts. This vulnerability bypasses a user using the --ignore-scripts install option.
Upgrade to version 6.13.3 or later.
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00027.html
access.redhat.com/errata/RHEA-2020:0330
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0573
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0579
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0597
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0602
blog.npmjs.org/post/189618601100/binary-planting-with-the-npm-cli
github.com/advisories/GHSA-x8qc-rrcw-4r46
github.com/npm/cli/security/advisories/GHSA-x8qc-rrcw-4r46
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/Z36UKPO5F3PQ3Q2POMF5LEKXWAH5RUFP
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-16776
www.npmjs.com/advisories/1436
www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html