CVE-2019-16777: Npm Npm Vulnerable To Global Node_modules Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2019-16777 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.7) npm vulnerable to global node_modules vulnerability (CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management) affecting Npm libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves npm vulnerable to global node_modules binary overwrite. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 6.13.4.
CVE-2019-16777 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.7
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2019-16777
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Npm dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
npm install npm@6.13.4Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls npmHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2019-16777, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls npmAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Npm in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 6.13.4), your application is affected.
Note: The npm ls npm 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-269: Improper Privilege Management, where the product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. In Npm, 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
CVE-2019-16777 Affected Npm Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
npm
|
npm |
< 6.13.4
|
6.13.4
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2019-16777?
Which Npm versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2019-16777?
Is npm affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-16777?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2019-16777?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2019-16777?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-4328-8hgf-7wjr",
"modified" : "2022-08-11T00:00:45Z",
"published" : "2019-12-13T15:39:32Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2019-16777" ],
"summary" : "npm Vulnerable to Global node_modules Binary Overwrite",
"details" : "Versions of the npm CLI prior to 6.13.4 are vulnerable to a Global node_modules Binary Overwrite. It fails to prevent existing globally-installed binaries to be overwritten by other package installations. \n\nFor example, if a package was installed globally and created a `serve` binary, any subsequent installs of packages that also create a `serve` binary would overwrite the first binary. This will not overwrite system binaries but only binaries put into the global node_modules directory.\n\nThis behavior is still allowed in local installations and also through install scripts. This vulnerability bypasses a user using the --ignore-scripts install option.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nUpgrade to version 6.13.4 or later.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "npm"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "6.13.4"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/npm/cli/security/advisories/GHSA-4328-8hgf-7wjr"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-16777"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHEA-2020:0330"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0573"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0579"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0597"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0602"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://blog.npmjs.org/post/189618601100/binary-planting-with-the-npm-cli"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-4328-8hgf-7wjr"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/npm/cli"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/Z36UKPO5F3PQ3Q2POMF5LEKXWAH5RUFP"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-48"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1437"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2020.html"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-01/msg00027.html"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22", "CWE-269" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T20:57:02Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2019-12-13T01:15:00Z"
}
}