Cross-env is a valuable tool for JavaScript developers, especially those working on cross-platform projects with Node.js. It allows you to set and use environment variables in your npm scripts, ensuring your commands work consistently regardless of the operating system your team members or users are running. Version 3.2.4, released on March 14, 2017, represents a minor update over its predecessor, version 3.2.3, released just ten days earlier on March 4, 2017.
Examining the package.json files of each version reveals the core functionality and dependencies remained constant. Both versions rely on is-windows and cross-spawn to handle platform-specific behavior and cross-process communication. The devDependencies, including tools for testing, linting, and code formatting, are also identical. Meaning the update didn't likely include new features, major bug fixes, or dependency upgrades.
While the specific changes between 3.2.3 and 3.2.4 are not explicitly detailed in the provided data, the short release cycle suggests the later version likely addresses minor bug fixes, performance improvements, or documentation updates. For developers, both versions offer a reliable solution for managing environment variables in cross-platform npm scripts. It's recommended to use the latest stable version (3.2.4 in this case) to benefit from any recent improvements, stability enhancements, or potential security patches, ensuring a smoother development experience. To determine specific fixes or reasons for the update a more detailed investigation, such as checking the project's change log or git commit history, might provide more information.
All the vulnerabilities related to the version 3.2.4 of the package
Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) in cross-spawn
Versions of the package cross-spawn before 7.0.5 are vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) due to improper input sanitization. An attacker can increase the CPU usage and crash the program by crafting a very large and well crafted string.
