Vulnerabilities in pkg:npm/@backstage/plugin-techdocs

PACKAGE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-gg96-f8wr-p89f
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Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-32661 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.8) script injection vulnerability (CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affecting @backstage/plugin techdocs libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves script injection. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 0.9.5.

1 Known Advisory Record(s)
Package Vulnerability Intelligence

pkg:npm/@backstage/plugin-techdocs

1 Known Advisory Record(s)

Vulnerability advisories affecting package pkg:npm/@backstage/plugin-techdocs. Select an advisory below to view technical details or fixes.

Advisory ID CVE / NVD Severity Summary
GHSA-gg96-f8wr-p89f CVE-2021-32661 MODERATE Script injection

CVE-2021-32661 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-32661
GHSA Identifier GHSA-gg96-f8wr-p89f
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.8
CWE Classification CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Affected Product @backstage/plugin techdocs
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.8

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

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required High (PR:H)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-32661

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

@backstage/plugin-techdocs fixed: 0.9.5 
npm install @backstage/plugin-techdocs@0.9.5
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 @backstage/plugin-techdocs

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2021-32661, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls @backstage/plugin-techdocs

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of @backstage/plugin techdocs in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 0.9.5), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls @backstage/plugin-techdocs 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 @backstage/plugin techdocs, 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

### Impact A malicious internal actor can potentially upload documentation content with malicious scripts by embedding the script within an `object` element. This may give access to sensitive data when other users visit that same documentation page. The ability to upload malicious content may be limited by internal code review processes, unless the chosen TechDocs deployment method is to use an object store and the actor has access to upload files directly to that store. ### Patches The vulnerability is patched in the `0.9.5` release of `@backstage/plugin-techdocs`. ### For more information If you have any questions or comments about this advisory: * Open an issue in the [Backstage repository](https://github.com/backstage/backstage) * Visit our chat, linked to in [Backstage README](https://github.com/backstage/backstage)

CVE-2021-32661 Affected @backstage/plugin techdocs Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
0.9.5
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
@backstage/plugin-techdocs
npm/@backstage/plugin-techdocs
npm
< 0.9.5
0.9.5

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-gg96-f8wr-p89f
NVD — CVE-2021-32661 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32661
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/backstage/backstage/commit/aad98c544e59369901fe9e0a85f6357644dceb5c
@backstage/plugin techdocs Release RELEASE
https://github.com/backstage/backstage/releases/tag/release-2021-06-03

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-32661?
CVE-2021-32661 is a security vulnerability in @backstage/plugin techdocs involving Script injection under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type.
Which @backstage/plugin techdocs versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 0.9.5 across affected packages: @backstage/plugin-techdocs.
What version fixes CVE-2021-32661?
Upgrading to 0.9.5 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is @backstage/plugin-techdocs affected?
Yes, @backstage/plugin-techdocs is affected in releases prior to 0.9.5. Upgrade your dependency to 0.9.5 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-32661?
CVE-2021-32661 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-32661?
CVE-2021-32661 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-2021-32661?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls @backstage/plugin-techdocs'. 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-gg96-f8wr-p89f",
  "modified" : "2021-06-04T19:22:48Z",
  "published" : "2021-06-04T19:09:26Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-32661" ],
  "summary" : "Script injection",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nA malicious internal actor can potentially upload documentation content with malicious scripts by embedding the script within an `object` element. This may give access to sensitive data when other users visit that same documentation page.\n\nThe ability to upload malicious content may be limited by internal code review processes, unless the chosen TechDocs deployment method is to use an object store and the actor has access to upload files directly to that store.\n\n### Patches\n\nThe vulnerability is patched in the `0.9.5` release of `@backstage/plugin-techdocs`.\n\n### For more information\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n* Open an issue in the [Backstage repository](https://github.com/backstage/backstage)\n* Visit our chat, linked to in [Backstage README](https://github.com/backstage/backstage)\n",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "@backstage/plugin-techdocs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "0.9.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/backstage/backstage/security/advisories/GHSA-gg96-f8wr-p89f"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32661"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/backstage/backstage/commit/aad98c544e59369901fe9e0a85f6357644dceb5c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/backstage/backstage/releases/tag/release-2021-06-03"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-434", "CWE-77" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-06-03T22:02:21Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-06-03T18:15:00Z"
  }
}