CVE-2022-31180: Shescape is a simple shell escape package for JavaScript. Affected versions were found to have insufficient escaping of white space when interpolating...

Description

Shescape is a simple shell escape package for JavaScript. Affected versions were found to have insufficient escaping of white space when interpolating output. This issue only impacts users that use the `escape` or `escapeAll` functions with the `interpolation` option set to `true`. The result is that if an attacker is able to include whitespace in their input they can: 1. Invoke shell-specific behaviour through shell-specific special characters inserted directly after whitespace. 2. Invoke shell-specific behaviour through shell-specific special characters inserted or appearing after line terminating characters. 3. Invoke arbitrary commands by inserting a line feed character. 4. Invoke arbitrary commands by inserting a carriage return character. Behaviour number 1 has been patched in [v1.5.7] which you can upgrade to now. No further changes are required. Behaviour number 2, 3, and 4 have been patched in [v1.5.8] which you can upgrade to now. No further changes are required. The best workaround is to avoid having to use the `interpolation: true` option - in most cases using an alternative is possible, see [the recipes](https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape#recipes) for recommendations. Alternatively, users may strip all whitespace from user input. Note that this is error prone, for example: for PowerShell this requires stripping `'\u0085'` which is not included in JavaScript's definition of `\s` for Regular Expressions.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.51%

71.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-74

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Shescape Project	Shescape	>= 1.4.0, < 1.5.8

References

https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/pull/322Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/pull/324Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/releases/tag/v1.5.7Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/releases/tag/v1.5.8Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/security/advisories/GHSA-44vr-rwwj-p88hExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/pull/322Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/pull/324Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/releases/tag/v1.5.7Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/releases/tag/v1.5.8Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape/security/advisories/GHSA-44vr-rwwj-p88hExploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 1, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-31180?

Shescape is a simple shell escape package for JavaScript. Affected versions were found to have insufficient escaping of white space when interpolating output. This issue only impacts users that use the `escape` or `escapeAll` functions with the `interpolation` option set to `true`. The result is that if an attacker is able to include whitespace in their input they can: 1. Invoke shell-specific behaviour through shell-specific special characters inserted directly after whitespace. 2. Invoke shell-specific behaviour through shell-specific special characters inserted or appearing after line terminating characters. 3. Invoke arbitrary commands by inserting a line feed character. 4. Invoke arbitrary commands by inserting a carriage return character. Behaviour number 1 has been patched in [v1.5.7] which you can upgrade to now. No further changes are required. Behaviour number 2, 3, and 4 have been patched in [v1.5.8] which you can upgrade to now. No further changes are required. The best workaround is to avoid having to use the `interpolation: true` option - in most cases using an alternative is possible, see [the recipes](https://github.com/ericcornelissen/shescape#recipes) for recommendations. Alternatively, users may strip all whitespace from user input. Note that this is error prone, for example: for PowerShell this requires stripping `'\u0085'` which is not included in JavaScript's definition of `\s` for Regular Expressions.

How severe is CVE-2022-31180?

CVE-2022-31180 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.51% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-31180?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.