# CVE-2021-23381: Arbitrary Command Injection

> Attackers can execute arbitrary commands via unsanitized input in the killing npm package due to unsafe use of child_process exec.

- **Severity:** High 7.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 18 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cq77-8jpx-892g

## What is CVE-2021-23381?

CVE-2021-23381 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in killing, published on 18 Apr 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

This affects all versions of package killing. If attacker-controlled user input is given, it is possible for an attacker to execute arbitrary commands. This is due to use of the child_process exec function without input sanitization.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-23381?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `killing` | npm | All versions to 1.0.6 | None |
| `killing` | npm | All versions to 1.0.6 | None |

Products: Killing Project Killing.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-23381?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-23381 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-23381 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-23381 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-23381 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-23381 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in killing, published on 18 Apr 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-23381 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- killing (npm): affected all versions up to 1.0.6; no fix listed
- killing (npm): affected all versions up to 1.0.6; no fix listed

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-2021-23381/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-23381/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-23381
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23381
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-23381

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-23381/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.