Chownr is a lightweight and practical npm package designed to recursively change the owner and group of files and directories, mirroring the functionality of the chown -R command in Unix-like systems. Both version 1.0.0 and the subsequent 1.0.1 offer the same core capability: simplifying the process of modifying file ownership in Node.js environments, crucial for managing permissions and security in various applications. Key features include a straightforward interface and efficient recursive directory traversal.
The updates between these two versions are minimal. Looking closely you can observe that the only change is related to the patch, the release date, and the tarball link. For developers already employing version 1.0.0, upgrading to 1.0.1 offers no new features or functionality enhancements but might be interesting to have the last version for security fixes or minor improvements. The package relies on devDependencies like mkdirp for directory creation and rimraf for file removal during testing, along with tap for robust test execution.
Chownr is valuable for developers building tools or applications that require programmatic control over file ownership, especially in scenarios involving complex directory structures or user-specific file management. Its ISC license promotes open usage and modification, enabling developers to adapt the library to diverse project requirements. The package, authored by Isaac Z. Schlueter, a prominent figure in the Node.js ecosystem, assures quality and reliability. Also, notice that the package is quite old and unmaintained.
All the vulnerabilities related to the version 1.0.1 of the package
Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition in chownr
A TOCTOU issue in the chownr package before 1.1.0 for Node.js 10.10 could allow a local attacker to trick it into descending into unintended directories via symlink attacks.