# CVE-2021-45459: Command Injection in node-windows

> Attackers can execute arbitrary commands via the PID parameter in the node-windows library for Node.js.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 22 Dec 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-53xv-c2hx-5w6q

## What is CVE-2021-45459?

CVE-2021-45459 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 22 Dec 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

lib/cmd.js in the node-windows package before 1.0.0-beta.6 for Node.js allows command injection via the PID parameter.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-45459?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including node-windows. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `node-windows` | npm | All versions | 1.0.0-beta.6 |
| `node-windows` | npm | All versions | 1.0.0-beta.6 |

Products: Node-Windows Project Node-Windows.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-45459?

Upgrade node-windows to 1.0.0-beta.6 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-45459 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-45459 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-45459 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-45459 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 22 Dec 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-2021-45459 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- node-windows (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 1.0.0-beta.6
- node-windows (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 1.0.0-beta.6

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-2021-45459/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45459/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-45459
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45459
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-45459

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45459/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.