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CVE Record

CVE-2021-23381: Arbitrary Command Injection

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.

HighCVSS 7.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-23381 is command injection in the npm package killing. If an application passes attacker-controlled input to this package, the attacker may run system commands with the application's privileges.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where killing is present in exposed services. Business risk depends on whether untrusted input reaches the vulnerable call path.

Technical view

The package uses Node.js child_process exec without sanitizing input. The source bundle states all versions are affected, with CVSS 3.1 score 7.3 and network, low-complexity, no-auth characteristics.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Node.js applications or tools that depend on killing and pass user-controlled values into its process-killing functionality.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed in KEV. The CVSS vector includes proof-of-concept exploit maturity, but the provided sources do not support active exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strong for the vulnerable pattern and package scope, but the bundle does not identify a patched version. Avoid assuming exploitability without validating data flow into exec-backed functionality.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory dependencies for the killing package.
  • Remove or replace killing where attacker-controlled input can reach it.
  • Check vendor or package maintainer guidance for any fixed release.
  • Constrain inputs before they reach command execution paths.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or multi-tenant services first.

Validation and detection

  • Search package manifests and lockfiles for killing.
  • Map code paths that invoke killing with external input.
  • Confirm whether any affected path is reachable without authentication.
  • Review runtime privileges of affected Node.js processes.
  • Document compensating controls if replacement is delayed.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-23381 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:P

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.3CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:P3.93.4Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.3High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-23381Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L/E:P

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/akilling0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.