# CVE-2020-15123: Command injection in codecov (npm package)

> Command injection in codecov npm package allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unsanitized input in the upload method.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Jul 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xp63-6vf5-xf3v

## What is CVE-2020-15123?

CVE-2020-15123 is a critical command injection vulnerability in codecov-node, published on 20 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

In codecov (npm package) before version 3.7.1 the upload method has a command injection vulnerability. Clients of the codecov-node library are unlikely to be aware of this, so they might unwittingly write code that contains a vulnerability. A similar CVE (CVE-2020-7597 for GHSA-5q88-cjfq-g2mh) was issued but the fix was incomplete. It only blocked &, and command injection is still possible using backticks instead to bypass the sanitizer. The attack surface is low in this case. Particularly in the standard use of codecov, where the module is used directly in a build pipeline, not built against as a library in another application that may supply malicious input and perform command injection.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-15123?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including codecov. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `codecov` | npm | All versions | 3.7.1 |
| `codecov` | npm | All versions | 3.7.1 |

Products: Codecov Codecov.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-15123?

Upgrade codecov to 3.7.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-15123 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-15123 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in codecov-node

- [CVE-2020-7597](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-7597/): codecov NPM module allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-15123 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-15123 is a critical command injection vulnerability in codecov-node, published on 20 Jul 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-15123 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- codecov (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 3.7.1
- codecov (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 3.7.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15123/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15123/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-15123
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15123
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-15123

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15123/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.