CVE-2019-16777 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

The npm CLI versions before 6.13.4 have a vulnerability that allows arbitrary file overwrite when globally-installed binaries are being overwritten by other package installations.

Understanding CVE-2019-16777

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in npm CLI versions prior to 6.13.4 that enables arbitrary file overwrite, posing a significant risk to affected systems.

What is CVE-2019-16777?

Versions of the npm CLI prior to 6.13.4 are susceptible to arbitrary file overwrite, allowing globally-installed binaries to be overwritten by subsequent package installations without adequate prevention measures.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16777

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk with a CVSS base score of 7.7, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and requiring low privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16777

The technical aspects of the vulnerability provide insight into its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The npm CLI versions before 6.13.4 lack safeguards against overwriting globally-installed binaries, enabling subsequent package installations to overwrite existing binaries, leading to arbitrary file overwrite.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: cli
Vendor: npm
Versions Affected: < 6.13.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows for the overwrite of globally-installed binaries by other package installations, even when using the --ignore-scripts install option, creating a security loophole.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2019-16777 requires immediate steps and long-term security practices to mitigate risks and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update npm CLI to version 6.13.4 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid installing packages that generate binaries with common names to prevent overwrites.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update npm packages to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of arbitrary file overwrites.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by npm to address known vulnerabilities.