Cross-env is a handy npm package designed to solve a common headache for developers: running scripts with environment variables across different operating systems. Both version 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 share the same core functionality, allowing you to define environment variables directly in your package.json scripts, ensuring consistency regardless of whether you're working on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
The fundamental purpose remains unchanged between these versions; use cross-env to avoid platform-specific syntax for setting environment variables. For example, instead of wrestling with SET on Windows and export on Unix-like systems, simply use cross-env before your command.
A key enhancement in 5.1.2 from 5.1.1 is the update in the release date, the new version was release on December 21, 2017, while the previous stable version was release on October 27, 2017. The other properties like dependencies, devDependencies, author, license are the same.
For developers who rely on cross-env for cross-platform compatibility, especially in automated build and deployment processes, staying updated with the latest version is recommended for potential bug fixes and optimisations. Though the differecens between the two versions is small, it’s always good practice to use the latest version.
All the vulnerabilities related to the version 5.1.2 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.
