CVE-2025-57283: browserstack-local Command Injection RCE

CVE-2025-57283 Overview

A command injection vulnerability has been identified in the browserstack-local Node.js package version 1.5.8. The vulnerability exists due to improper sanitization of the logfile variable in the lib/Local.js file, allowing attackers with local access to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this command injection flaw to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the running Node.js process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• browserstack-local 1.5.8 (Node.js package)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-28 - CVE CVE-2025-57283 published to NVD
• 2026-01-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-57283

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), specifically manifesting as a command injection flaw. The browserstack-local package is commonly used to establish local testing tunnels for BrowserStack's cross-browser testing service. The logfile parameter, which specifies where logs should be written, is passed directly to system commands without proper validation or sanitization.

When the package constructs command-line arguments to spawn the BrowserStack Local binary, the unsanitized logfile value can be manipulated to break out of the intended command context and execute arbitrary shell commands. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in CI/CD environments where automated testing pipelines may process untrusted input.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from insufficient input validation in lib/Local.js where the logfile variable is concatenated directly into command strings without proper escaping or sanitization. The code fails to validate that the logfile path contains only safe characters and does not include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks that could be used to chain additional commands.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have some level of access to the system or the ability to influence the logfile parameter value. Attack scenarios include:

1. Malicious Configuration Files: An attacker who can modify configuration files or environment variables could inject malicious payloads into the logfile path
2. CI/CD Pipeline Exploitation: In automated testing environments, if the logfile parameter is derived from user-controlled input (such as branch names or commit messages), attackers could inject commands through these channels
3. Supply Chain Attacks: Compromised dependencies or build scripts could manipulate the logfile parameter to achieve code execution

The vulnerability allows an attacker to inject shell commands by crafting a malicious logfile path containing command separators. For example, a payload like /tmp/log.txt; malicious_command would cause the shell to execute both the intended logging operation and the injected command.

Technical details and proof-of-concept information can be found in the GitHub Gist documentation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-57283

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected processes spawned as children of Node.js processes running browserstack-local
• Unusual command-line arguments containing shell metacharacters (;, |, &, backticks) in logfile paths
• Log entries showing malformed or suspicious file paths being passed to the browserstack-local module
• Network connections or file system modifications originating from Node.js processes that deviate from normal BrowserStack testing behavior

Detection Strategies

• Monitor process creation events for Node.js processes spawning unexpected child processes, particularly shells or system utilities
• Implement file integrity monitoring on directories where browserstack-local logs are typically written
• Deploy application-level logging to capture all parameters passed to the browserstack-local module
• Use static analysis tools to identify unsafe string concatenation patterns in Node.js codebases that interact with browserstack-local

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging in CI/CD pipelines to capture all browserstack-local invocations and their parameters
• Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) to detect and block command injection attempts
• Configure SentinelOne Singularity Platform to monitor for behavioral anomalies in Node.js processes, including unexpected command execution patterns
• Review npm audit logs regularly for vulnerable package versions in your dependency tree

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-57283

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit your Node.js projects for usage of browserstack-local version 1.5.8 using npm ls browserstack-local
• If using the vulnerable version, check for available patches or updates on the NPM Package Registry
• Implement input validation for any user-controlled values that could influence the logfile parameter
• Restrict file system permissions for directories where browserstack-local operates

Patch Information

As of the last NVD update on 2026-01-29, check the official NPM registry and BrowserStack documentation for patched versions of the browserstack-local package. Organizations should update to a patched version as soon as one becomes available. Monitor the GitHub Gist and vendor channels for patch announcements.

Workarounds

• Hardcode the logfile path to a known-safe location rather than accepting dynamic input
• Implement a wrapper function that validates and sanitizes the logfile parameter before passing it to browserstack-local
• Use allowlist validation to ensure logfile paths contain only alphanumeric characters, underscores, hyphens, and path separators
• Run browserstack-local in a sandboxed environment or container with minimal privileges to limit the impact of potential exploitation

# Validate logfile path before use (example validation)
LOGFILE="/var/log/browserstack/test.log"
# Ensure path matches expected pattern and contains no shell metacharacters
if [[ "$LOGFILE" =~ ^[a-zA-Z0-9/_.-]+$ ]]; then
    # Safe to use
    echo "Logfile path validated: $LOGFILE"
else
    echo "Invalid logfile path detected - blocking execution"
    exit 1
fi