CVE-2022-27261: Express fileupload Express-FileUpload Arbitrary File Overwrite Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-w4m6-x6c2-j5c9
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CVSS 7.5
CWE-434
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-27261 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) express-fileupload arbitrary file overwrite vulnerability (CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affecting Express fileupload libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves express-fileupload arbitrary file overwrite. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2022-27261 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-27261
GHSA Identifier GHSA-w4m6-x6c2-j5c9
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Affected Product Express fileupload
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2022-27261

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Express fileupload dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

express-fileupload fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install express-fileupload@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls express-fileupload

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2022-27261, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls express-fileupload

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Express fileupload in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls express-fileupload command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, where the product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment. In Express fileupload, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

An arbitrary file write vulnerability in Express-FileUpload v1.3.1 allows attackers to upload multiple files with the same name, causing an overwrite of files in the web application server. This vulnerability is [debated by the package author](https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/316).

CVE-2022-27261 Affected Express fileupload Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
express-fileupload
npm/express-fileupload
npm
≤ 1.3.1

References

NVD — CVE-2022-27261 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27261
Express fileupload Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/312
Express fileupload Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/316
Express fileupload Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload
www.npmjs.com/package/express-fil... WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/package/express-fileupload
www.youtube.com/watch WEB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROHB3ck4tA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-27261?
CVE-2022-27261 is a security vulnerability in Express fileupload involving Express-FileUpload Arbitrary File Overwrite under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type.
Which Express fileupload versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: express-fileupload.
What version fixes CVE-2022-27261?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is express-fileupload affected?
Yes, express-fileupload is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-27261?
CVE-2022-27261 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-27261?
CVE-2022-27261 is classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (The product allows the upload or transfer of dangerous file types that are automatically processed within its environment.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2022-27261?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls express-fileupload'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-w4m6-x6c2-j5c9",
  "modified" : "2023-10-19T19:26:34Z",
  "published" : "2022-04-13T00:00:24Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-27261" ],
  "summary" : "Express-FileUpload Arbitrary File Overwrite",
  "details" : "An arbitrary file write vulnerability in Express-FileUpload v1.3.1 allows attackers to upload multiple files with the same name, causing an overwrite of files in the web application server. This vulnerability is [debated by the package author](https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/316).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "express-fileupload"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "1.3.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-27261"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/312"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload/issues/316"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/richardgirges/express-fileupload"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/package/express-fileupload"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROHB3ck4tA"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-434" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-10-19T19:26:34Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-04-12T17:15:00Z"
  }
}