CVE-2024-56334: A Critical Vulnerability in Node.js systeminformation Library

 CVE-2024-56334:  Vulnerability in Node.js systeminformation Library

CVE-2024-56334 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the systeminformation library, a popular Node.js module used for retrieving system and operating system information. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) within the getWindowsIEEE8021x function, where SSIDs are not adequately sanitized before being passed as parameters to the command line interface cmd.exe. This oversight allows for the potential execution of arbitrary OS commands, leading to severe security risks such as remote code execution or local privilege escalation.

Technical Details

Nature of the Vulnerability

The vulnerability stems from a command injection flaw. When an attacker provides a malicious SSID containing specially crafted commands, these commands can be executed on the host system. The lack of sanitization means that any input that is not properly filtered can lead to unintended command execution.

Impact

The implications of this vulnerability are significant:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE): An attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system running the vulnerable version of systeminformation.
• Local Privilege Escalation: If the library is used in a context with elevated privileges, an attacker could gain higher-level access than intended.

Affected Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of the systeminformation library prior to version 5.23.7. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to this version or later to mitigate the risk.

Example Exploit Scenario

To illustrate how this vulnerability could be exploited, consider the following scenario:

1. Malicious SSID Input: An attacker sets up a rogue Wi-Fi network with an SSID that includes command injection payloads, such as:

   text
   "MyWiFi; rm -rf /important/data"
   

2. Execution Context: A vulnerable application using systeminformation calls the getWindowsIEEE8021x function with this SSID.
3. Command Execution: Due to inadequate sanitization, the command passed to cmd.exe would execute both legitimate and malicious commands:

   bash
   cmd.exe /c "netsh wlan connect name='MyWiFi; rm -rf /important/data'"
   

4. Outcome: The attacker successfully executes the command, potentially deleting critical data on the system.

Mitigation and Recommendations

To protect against CVE-2024-56334, users should take the following actions:

• Upgrade Immediately: Update to version 5.23.7 or later of the systeminformation library.
• Review Code: Ensure that any user inputs passed to system commands are properly sanitized and validated.
• Monitor Systems: Implement logging and monitoring for unusual command executions that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-56334 highlights a critical security flaw in widely used software libraries that can have severe consequences if left unaddressed. By upgrading to secure versions and implementing best practices in input handling, developers can significantly reduce their exposure to such vulnerabilities. Continuous vigilance and proactive security measures are essential in maintaining system integrity and safeguarding against potential attacks.