ScanCode.io command injection in docker image fetch process
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-77.
Summary
ScanCode.io is a server to script and automate software composition analysis with ScanPipe pipelines. Prior to version 32.5.1, the software has a possible command injection vulnerability in the docker fetch process as it allows to append malicious commands in the `docker_reference` parameter. In the function `scanpipe/pipes/fetch.py:fetch_docker_image` the parameter `docker_reference` is user controllable. The `docker_reference` variable is then passed to the vulnerable function `get_docker_image_platform`. However, the `get_docker_image_plaform` function constructs a shell command with the passed `docker_reference`. The `pipes.run_command` then executes the shell command without any prior sanitization, making the function vulnerable to command injections. A malicious user who is able to create or add inputs to a project can inject commands. Although the command injections are blind and the user will not receive direct feedback without logs, it is still possible to cause damage to the server/container. The vulnerability appears for example if a malicious user adds a semicolon after the input of `docker://;`, it would allow appending malicious commands. Version 32.5.1 contains a patch for this issue. The `docker_reference` input should be sanitized to avoid command injections and, as a workaround, one may avoid creating commands with user controlled input directly.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nexB | scancode.io | before 32.5.1 | 32.5.1 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | scancodeio (PyPI) | before 32.5.1 | 32.5.1 | Patch available | GHSA-2ggp-cmvm-f62f |
- scancode.io VendornexB Affected before 32.5.1 Fixed in 32.5.1 Patch available CNA
- scancodeio (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 32.5.1 Fixed in 32.5.1 Patch available GHSA-2ggp-cmvm-f62f
Remediation
- Fix · CNA scancode.io (nexB) Fixed in 32.5.1
- Fix · GHSA-2ggp-cmvm-f62f scancodeio (PyPI) Fixed in 32.5.1 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-39523
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-2ggp-cmvm-f62f
References
More nexB Scancode.io vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-20914 Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in scancode.io license endpoint CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
Sources
- CVE-2023-39523 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-39523 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-2ggp-cmvm-f62f · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences