CVE-2020-6836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Hot-formula-parser Package Arbitrary Code Injection Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2020-6836

What is CVE-2020-6836?

The grammar-parser.jison in the hot-formula-parser package before 3.0.1 for Node.js is susceptible to arbitrary code injection. This vulnerability arises from the package's failure to properly sanitize values passed to the parse function, leading to concatenation in an eval call. Attackers can exploit this issue by injecting arbitrary commands through user-controlled input, potentially compromising the server.

The Impact of CVE-2020-6836

This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-6836

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the hot-formula-parser package allows for arbitrary code injection due to improper sanitization of input values.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: hot-formula-parser package versions before 3.0.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious input values to the parse function, which are then concatenated in an eval call, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the hot-formula-parser package to version 3.0.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid using user-controlled input directly in the parse function to prevent code injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation and sanitization mechanisms in your code to prevent similar vulnerabilities.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates related to the hot-formula-parser package.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for the hot-formula-parser package to address known vulnerabilities.