CVE-2026-71538 @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm: Shell Injection via Unsanitized --workspace Argument on Windows
Attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on Windows via unsanitized workspace arguments in the CycloneDX npm CLI fallback path.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-71538?
CVE-2026-71538 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in cyclonedx-node-npm, published on 17 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm creates CycloneDX Software Bill of Materials from npm projects. Prior to version 6.0.0, the Windows fallback path in src/npmRunner.ts, used when npm_execpath does not provide the npm CLI path, can construct a shell command containing an untrusted value from the --workspace option. When an attacker can influence that option and the fallback npm execution path is reached, shell metacharacters in the workspace value can execute arbitrary operating-system commands with the privileges of the user running the CLI, allowing data access, file modification, or service disruption. This issue is fixed in version 6.0.0.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-71538?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm npm | All versions | 6.0.0 |
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm npm | All versions | 6.0.0 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-71538?
Upgrade @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-npm to 6.0.0 or later.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-71538 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-71538 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-q69g-4hcv-6jg4.