CVE-2020-7596: Codecov Improper Neutralization Of Special Elements Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-mh2h-6j8q-x246
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CVSS 8.8
CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2020-7596 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.8) improper neutralization of special elements vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')) affecting Codecov libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component in codecov. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.6.2.

CVE-2020-7596 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2020-7596
GHSA Identifier GHSA-mh2h-6j8q-x246
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.8
CWE Classification CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Product Codecov
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.8

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2020-7596

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

codecov fixed: 3.6.2 
npm install codecov@3.6.2
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 codecov

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2020-7596, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls codecov

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Codecov in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.6.2), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls codecov 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-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. In Codecov, 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

Codecov npm module before 3.6.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the "gcov-args" argument.

CVE-2020-7596 Affected Codecov Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.6.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
codecov
npm/codecov
npm
< 3.6.2
3.6.2

References

NVD — CVE-2020-7596 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-7596
Codecov Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/codecov/codecov-node
snyk.io/vuln/snyk-js-codeco... WEB
https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-CODECOV-543183

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-7596?
CVE-2020-7596 is a security vulnerability in Codecov involving Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component in Codecov under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection').
Which Codecov versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.6.2 across affected packages: codecov.
What version fixes CVE-2020-7596?
Upgrading to 3.6.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is codecov affected?
Yes, codecov is affected in releases prior to 3.6.2. Upgrade your dependency to 3.6.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-7596?
CVE-2020-7596 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-7596?
CVE-2020-7596 is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2020-7596?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls codecov'. 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-mh2h-6j8q-x246",
  "modified" : "2022-06-23T17:49:55Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-24T17:07:19Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-7596" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component in Codecov",
  "details" : "Codecov npm module before 3.6.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the \"gcov-args\" argument.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "codecov"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.6.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 3.6.1"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-7596"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/codecov/codecov-node"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-CODECOV-543183"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-06-23T17:49:55Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2020-01-25T19:15:00Z"
  }
}