CWE-88
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Draft
The product constructs a string for a command to be executed by a separate component in another control sphere, but it does not properly delimit the intended arguments, options, or switches within that command string.
550 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-F6F6-98VP-W8MF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-04-16 03:30 – Updated: 2025-11-04 18:30A privilege escalation flaw was found in Amanda 3.5.1 in which the backup user can acquire root privileges. The vulnerable component is the runtar SUID program, which is a wrapper to run /usr/bin/tar with specific arguments that are controllable by the attacker. This program mishandles the arguments passed to tar binary (it expects that the argument name and value are separated with a space; however, separating them with an equals sign is also supported),
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-37705"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-04-16T01:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A privilege escalation flaw was found in Amanda 3.5.1 in which the backup user can acquire root privileges. The vulnerable component is the runtar SUID program, which is a wrapper to run /usr/bin/tar with specific arguments that are controllable by the attacker. This program mishandles the arguments passed to tar binary (it expects that the argument name and value are separated with a space; however, separating them with an equals sign is also supported),",
"id": "GHSA-f6f6-98vp-w8mf",
"modified": "2025-11-04T18:30:40Z",
"published": "2023-04-16T03:30:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-37705"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zmanda/amanda/issues/192"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zmanda/amanda/pull/194"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zmanda/amanda/pull/196"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zmanda/amanda/pull/204"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/MaherAzzouzi/CVE-2022-37705"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/zmanda/amanda/releases/tag/tag-community-3.5.3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00003.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/09/msg00023.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/A5DCLSX5YYTWMKSMDL67M5STZ5ZDSOXK"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ATMGMVS3QDN6OMKMHGUTUTU7NS7HR3BZ"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JYREA6LFXF5M7K4WLNJV5VNQPS4MTBW2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/A5DCLSX5YYTWMKSMDL67M5STZ5ZDSOXK"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ATMGMVS3QDN6OMKMHGUTUTU7NS7HR3BZ"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JYREA6LFXF5M7K4WLNJV5VNQPS4MTBW2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://marc.info/?l=amanda-hackers"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.amanda.org"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F74Q-99MF-MMJ8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-04 21:32 – Updated: 2026-03-04 21:32A vulnerability in the Cisco FXOS Software CLI feature for Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software and Secure FTD Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials on an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of user-supplied command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted input for specific CLI commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-20016"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-04T19:16:11Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the Cisco FXOS Software CLI feature for Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Software and Secure FTD Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have valid administrative credentials on an affected device.\n\n This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of user-supplied command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted input for specific CLI commands. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges.",
"id": "GHSA-f74q-99mf-mmj8",
"modified": "2026-03-04T21:32:45Z",
"published": "2026-03-04T21:32:45Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-20016"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ftd-cmd-inj-mTzGZexf"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F85H-23MF-2FWH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-02-09 22:00 – Updated: 2024-09-06 18:18A flaw was found in Ansible Engine when the module package or service is used and the parameter 'use' is not specified. If a previous task is executed with a malicious user, the module sent can be selected by the attacker using the ansible facts file. All versions in 2.7.x, 2.8.x and 2.9.x branches are believed to be vulnerable.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "ansible"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"last_affected": "2.7.16"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "ansible"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.8.0a1"
},
{
"last_affected": "2.8.10"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "PyPI",
"name": "ansible"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.9.0a1"
},
{
"last_affected": "2.9.6"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-1738"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-04-05T18:34:03Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2020-03-16T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "A flaw was found in Ansible Engine when the module package or service is used and the parameter \u0027use\u0027 is not specified. If a previous task is executed with a malicious user, the module sent can be selected by the attacker using the ansible facts file. All versions in 2.7.x, 2.8.x and 2.9.x branches are believed to be vulnerable.",
"id": "GHSA-f85h-23mf-2fwh",
"modified": "2024-09-06T18:18:14Z",
"published": "2022-02-09T22:00:04Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-1738"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/67796"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/67808"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2020-1738"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-f85h-23mf-2fwh"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/ansible/PYSEC-2020-10.yaml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202006-11"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:L",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
],
"summary": "Argument Injection in Ansible"
}
GHSA-F88F-HGHP-JJR6
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-10 00:33 – Updated: 2026-05-10 00:33Hex-Rays IDA Pro 9.2 and 9.3 before 9.3sp2 does not block Clang dependency-file generation (via argument injection), which allows attackers to place their code into a plugins directry if the victim uses an attacker-supplied .i64 file.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-45181"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-05-09T22:16:08Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Hex-Rays IDA Pro 9.2 and 9.3 before 9.3sp2 does not block Clang dependency-file generation (via argument injection), which allows attackers to place their code into a plugins directry if the victim uses an attacker-supplied .i64 file.",
"id": "GHSA-f88f-hghp-jjr6",
"modified": "2026-05-10T00:33:20Z",
"published": "2026-05-10T00:33:20Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45181"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.calif.io/p/using-ida-to-find-bugs-in-ida-with"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://docs.hex-rays.com/release-notes/9_3sp2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F98F-97PG-74WC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:14 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:14A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input as the argument of an affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability. Nexus 3000, 3500, and Nexus 9000 Series Switches in Standalone NX-OS Mode are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)I7(4).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-1606"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-08T20:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input as the argument of an affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability. Nexus 3000, 3500, and Nexus 9000 Series Switches in Standalone NX-OS Mode are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)I7(4).",
"id": "GHSA-f98f-97pg-74wc",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:14:57Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:14:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-1606"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190306-nxos-cmdinj-1606"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107345"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-F9J7-2567-JG9H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:14 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:14A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input as the argument of an affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid administrator credentials to exploit this vulnerability. Nexus 7000 and 7700 Series Switches are affected in versions prior to 6.2(22), 7.3(3)D1(1), and 8.2(3).
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-1607"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-03-08T20:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input as the argument of an affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with elevated privileges. An attacker would need valid administrator credentials to exploit this vulnerability. Nexus 7000 and 7700 Series Switches are affected in versions prior to 6.2(22), 7.3(3)D1(1), and 8.2(3).",
"id": "GHSA-f9j7-2567-jg9h",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:14:57Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:14:57Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-1607"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190306-nxos-cmdinj-1607"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107393"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-FFHX-6P84-463H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-10-24 19:00 – Updated: 2022-10-25 19:00myVesta Control Panel before 0.9.8-26-43 and Vesta Control Panel before 0.9.8-26 are vulnerable to command injection. An authenticated and remote administrative user can execute arbitrary commands via the v_sftp_license parameter when sending HTTP POST requests to the /edit/server endpoint.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-46850"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-77",
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-10-24T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "myVesta Control Panel before 0.9.8-26-43 and Vesta Control Panel before 0.9.8-26 are vulnerable to command injection. An authenticated and remote administrative user can execute arbitrary commands via the v_sftp_license parameter when sending HTTP POST requests to the /edit/server endpoint.",
"id": "GHSA-ffhx-6p84-463h",
"modified": "2022-10-25T19:00:35Z",
"published": "2022-10-24T19:00:23Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-46850"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/myvesta/vesta/commit/7991753ab7c5c568768028fb77554db8ea149f17"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/serghey-rodin/vesta/commit/a4e4542a6d1351c2857b169f8621dd9a13a2e896"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2021/06/necro-python-bot-adds-new-tricks.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/myvesta/vesta/releases/tag/0.9.8-26-43"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49674"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-FHJF-83WG-R2J9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2019-08-27 17:42 – Updated: 2023-11-29 20:55Versions of mixin-deep prior to 2.0.1 or 1.3.2 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. The mixinDeep function fails to validate which Object properties it updates. This allows attackers to modify the prototype of Object, causing the addition or modification of an existing property on all objects.
Recommendation
If you are using mixin-deep 2.x, upgrade to version 2.0.1 or later.
If you are using mixin-deep 1.x, upgrade to version 1.3.2 or later.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "mixin-deep"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.3.2"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "mixin-deep"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "2.0.0"
},
{
"fixed": "2.0.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
],
"versions": [
"2.0.0"
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-10746"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2019-08-27T17:21:43Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2019-08-23T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Versions of `mixin-deep` prior to 2.0.1 or 1.3.2 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. The `mixinDeep` function fails to validate which Object properties it updates. This allows attackers to modify the prototype of Object, causing the addition or modification of an existing property on all objects.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nIf you are using `mixin-deep` 2.x, upgrade to version 2.0.1 or later.\nIf you are using `mixin-deep` 1.x, upgrade to version 1.3.2 or later.",
"id": "GHSA-fhjf-83wg-r2j9",
"modified": "2023-11-29T20:55:21Z",
"published": "2019-08-27T17:42:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-10746"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jonschlinkert/mixin-deep/commit/8f464c8ce9761a8c9c2b3457eaeee9d404fa7af9"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jonschlinkert/mixin-deep/commit/90ee1fab375fccfd9b926df718243339b4976d50"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/BFNIVG2XYFPZJY3DYYBJASZ7ZMKBMIJT"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/UXRA365KZCUNXMU3KDH5JN5BEPNIGUKC"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-MIXINDEEP-450212"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1013"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Prototype Pollution in mixin-deep"
}
GHSA-FJ34-JHJX-XMVV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-03 00:00 – Updated: 2022-06-14 20:04An argument injection vulnerability in Dragonfly Ruby Gem v1.3.0 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary files when the verify_url option is disabled. This vulnerability is exploited via a crafted URL.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "RubyGems",
"name": "dragonfly"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.4.0"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-33473"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-06-03T22:16:58Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-02T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "An argument injection vulnerability in Dragonfly Ruby Gem v1.3.0 allows attackers to read and write arbitrary files when the verify_url option is disabled. This vulnerability is exploited via a crafted URL.",
"id": "GHSA-fj34-jhjx-xmvv",
"modified": "2022-06-14T20:04:41Z",
"published": "2022-06-03T00:00:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-33473"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/markevans/dragonfly/issues/513"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/markevans/dragonfly/commit/25399297bb457f7fcf8e3f91e85945b255b111b5"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/markevans/dragonfly"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/dragonfly/CVE-2021-33473.yml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220715-0004"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Arbitrary file write in dragonfly"
}
GHSA-FJ7F-VQ84-FH43
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2021-12-08 19:51 – Updated: 2025-11-03 22:27In bundler versions before 2.2.33, when working with untrusted and apparently harmless Gemfile's, it is not expected that they lead to execution of external code, unless that's explicit in the ruby code inside the Gemfile itself. However, if the Gemfile includes gem entries that use the git option with invalid, but seemingly harmless, values with a leading dash, this can be false.
To handle dependencies that come from a Git repository instead of a registry, Bundler uses various commands, such as git clone. These commands are being constructed using user input (e.g. the repository URL). When building the
commands, Bundler versions before 2.2.33 correctly avoid Command Injection vulnerabilities by passing an array of arguments instead of a command string. However, there is the possibility that a user input starts with a dash (-) and is therefore treated as an optional argument instead of a positional one. This can lead to Code Execution because some of the commands have options that can be leveraged to run arbitrary executables.
Since this value comes from the Gemfile file, it can contain any character, including a leading dash.
Exploitation
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker has to craft a directory containing a Gemfile file that declares a dependency that is located in a Git repository. This dependency has to have a Git URL in the form of -u./payload. This URL
will be used to construct a Git clone command but will be interpreted as the upload-pack argument. Then this directory needs to be shared with the victim, who then needs to run a command that evaluates the Gemfile, such as bundle lock, inside.
Impact
This vulnerability can lead to Arbitrary Code Execution, which could potentially lead to the takeover of the system. However, as explained above, the exploitability is very low, because it requires a lot of user interaction. It still could put developers at risk when dealing with untrusted files in a way they think is safe, because the exploit still works when the victim tries to make sure nothing can happen, e.g. by manually reviewing the Gemfile (although they would need the weird URL with a leading dash to not raise any flags).
This kind of attack vector has been used in the past to target security researchers by sending them projects to collaborate on.
Patches
Bundler 2.2.33 has patched this problem by inserting -- as an argument before any positional arguments to those Git commands that were affected by this issue.
Workarounds
Regardless of whether users can upgrade or not, they should review any untrustred Gemfile's before running any bundler commands that may read them, since they can contain arbitrary ruby code.
References
https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/88.html
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "RubyGems",
"name": "bundler"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "2.2.33"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-43809"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-88"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2021-12-08T19:33:42Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2021-12-08T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "In `bundler` versions before 2.2.33, when working with untrusted and apparently harmless `Gemfile`\u0027s, it is not expected that they lead to execution of external code, unless that\u0027s explicit in the ruby code inside the `Gemfile` itself. However, if the `Gemfile` includes `gem` entries that use the `git` option with invalid, but seemingly harmless, values with a leading dash, this can be false.\n\nTo handle dependencies that come from a Git repository instead of a registry, Bundler uses various commands, such as `git clone`. These commands are being constructed using user input (e.g. the repository URL). When building the\ncommands, Bundler versions before 2.2.33 correctly avoid Command Injection vulnerabilities by passing an array of arguments instead of a command string. However, there is the possibility that a user input starts with a dash (`-`) and is therefore treated as an optional argument instead of a positional one. This can lead to Code Execution because some of the commands have options that can be leveraged to run arbitrary executables.\n\nSince this value comes from the `Gemfile` file, it can contain any character, including a leading dash.\n\n### Exploitation\n\nTo exploit this vulnerability, an attacker has to craft a directory containing a `Gemfile` file that declares a dependency that is located in a Git repository. This dependency has to have a Git URL in the form of `-u./payload`. This URL\nwill be used to construct a Git clone command but will be interpreted as the [upload-pack](https://git-scm.com/docs/git-clone#Documentation/git-clone.txt--ultupload-packgt) argument. Then this directory needs to be shared with the victim, who then needs to run a command that evaluates the Gemfile, such as `bundle lock`, inside.\n\n### Impact\n\nThis vulnerability can lead to Arbitrary Code Execution, which could potentially lead to the takeover of the system. However, as explained above, the exploitability is very low, because it requires a lot of user interaction. It still could put developers at risk when dealing with untrusted files in a way they think is safe, because the exploit still works when the victim tries to make sure nothing can happen, e.g. by manually reviewing the `Gemfile` (although they would need the weird URL with a leading dash to not raise any flags).\n\nThis kind of attack vector [has been used in the past](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/26/north-korean-hackers-targeting-security-researchers-on-twitter.html) to target security researchers by sending them projects to collaborate on.\n\n### Patches\n\nBundler 2.2.33 has patched this problem by inserting `--` as an argument before any positional arguments to those Git commands that were affected by this issue.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nRegardless of whether users can upgrade or not, they should review any untrustred `Gemfile`\u0027s before running any `bundler` commands that may read them, since they can contain arbitrary ruby code.\n\n### References\n\nhttps://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/88.html",
"id": "GHSA-fj7f-vq84-fh43",
"modified": "2025-11-03T22:27:44Z",
"published": "2021-12-08T19:51:36Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/security/advisories/GHSA-fj7f-vq84-fh43"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43809"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/pull/5142"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/0fad1ccfe9dd7a3c5b82c1496df3c2b4842870d3"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/commit/a4f2f8ac17e6ce81c689527a8b6f14381060d95f"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/rubysec/ruby-advisory-db/blob/master/gems/bundler/CVE-2021-43809.yml"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00015.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.sonarsource.com/blog/securing-developer-tools-package-managers"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Local Code Execution through Argument Injection via dash leading git url parameter in Gemfile."
}
Mitigation
Strategy: Parameterization
Where possible, avoid building a single string that contains the command and its arguments. Some languages or frameworks have functions that support specifying independent arguments, e.g. as an array, which is used to automatically perform the appropriate quoting or escaping while building the command. For example, in PHP, escapeshellarg() can be used to escape a single argument to system(), or exec() can be called with an array of arguments. In C, code can often be refactored from using system() - which accepts a single string - to using exec(), which requires separate function arguments for each parameter.
Mitigation
Strategy: Input Validation
Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter your product: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, request headers as well as content, URL components, e-mail, files, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Perform input validation at well-defined interfaces.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
Mitigation
Directly convert your input type into the expected data type, such as using a conversion function that translates a string into a number. After converting to the expected data type, ensure that the input's values fall within the expected range of allowable values and that multi-field consistencies are maintained.
Mitigation
- Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180, CWE-181). Make sure that your application does not inadvertently decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked. Use libraries such as the OWASP ESAPI Canonicalization control.
- Consider performing repeated canonicalization until your input does not change any more. This will avoid double-decoding and similar scenarios, but it might inadvertently modify inputs that are allowed to contain properly-encoded dangerous content.
Mitigation
When exchanging data between components, ensure that both components are using the same character encoding. Ensure that the proper encoding is applied at each interface. Explicitly set the encoding you are using whenever the protocol allows you to do so.
Mitigation
When your application combines data from multiple sources, perform the validation after the sources have been combined. The individual data elements may pass the validation step but violate the intended restrictions after they have been combined.
Mitigation
Use dynamic tools and techniques that interact with the product using large test suites with many diverse inputs, such as fuzz testing (fuzzing), robustness testing, and fault injection. The product's operation may slow down, but it should not become unstable, crash, or generate incorrect results.
CAPEC-137: Parameter Injection
An adversary manipulates the content of request parameters for the purpose of undermining the security of the target. Some parameter encodings use text characters as separators. For example, parameters in a HTTP GET message are encoded as name-value pairs separated by an ampersand (&). If an attacker can supply text strings that are used to fill in these parameters, then they can inject special characters used in the encoding scheme to add or modify parameters. For example, if user input is fed directly into an HTTP GET request and the user provides the value "myInput&new_param=myValue", then the input parameter is set to myInput, but a new parameter (new_param) is also added with a value of myValue. This can significantly change the meaning of the query that is processed by the server. Any encoding scheme where parameters are identified and separated by text characters is potentially vulnerable to this attack - the HTTP GET encoding used above is just one example.
CAPEC-174: Flash Parameter Injection
An adversary takes advantage of improper data validation to inject malicious global parameters into a Flash file embedded within an HTML document. Flash files can leverage user-submitted data to configure the Flash document and access the embedding HTML document.
CAPEC-41: Using Meta-characters in E-mail Headers to Inject Malicious Payloads
This type of attack involves an attacker leveraging meta-characters in email headers to inject improper behavior into email programs. Email software has become increasingly sophisticated and feature-rich. In addition, email applications are ubiquitous and connected directly to the Web making them ideal targets to launch and propagate attacks. As the user demand for new functionality in email applications grows, they become more like browsers with complex rendering and plug in routines. As more email functionality is included and abstracted from the user, this creates opportunities for attackers. Virtually all email applications do not list email header information by default, however the email header contains valuable attacker vectors for the attacker to exploit particularly if the behavior of the email client application is known. Meta-characters are hidden from the user, but can contain scripts, enumerations, probes, and other attacks against the user's system.
CAPEC-460: HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP)
An adversary adds duplicate HTTP GET/POST parameters by injecting query string delimiters. Via HPP it may be possible to override existing hardcoded HTTP parameters, modify the application behaviors, access and, potentially exploit, uncontrollable variables, and bypass input validation checkpoints and WAF rules.
CAPEC-88: OS Command Injection
In this type of an attack, an adversary injects operating system commands into existing application functions. An application that uses untrusted input to build command strings is vulnerable. An adversary can leverage OS command injection in an application to elevate privileges, execute arbitrary commands and compromise the underlying operating system.