diff --git a/change-notes/1.24/analysis-java.md b/change-notes/1.24/analysis-java.md
index 0598b813415..36210c0457e 100644
--- a/change-notes/1.24/analysis-java.md
+++ b/change-notes/1.24/analysis-java.md
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ The following changes in version 1.24 affect Java analysis in all applications.
 ## General improvements
 
 * Alert suppression can now be done with single-line block comments (`/* ... */`) as well as line comments (`// ...`).
+* A `Customizations.qll` file has been added to allow customizations of the standard library that apply to all queries.
 
 ## New queries
 
diff --git a/change-notes/1.24/analysis-javascript.md b/change-notes/1.24/analysis-javascript.md
index bea62aa9e85..b17ddfb4860 100644
--- a/change-notes/1.24/analysis-javascript.md
+++ b/change-notes/1.24/analysis-javascript.md
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@
 | Polynomial regular expression used on uncontrolled data (`js/polynomial-redos`) | security, external/cwe/cwe-730, external/cwe/cwe-400 | Highlights expensive regular expressions that may be used on malicious input. Results are shown on LGTM by default. | 
 | Prototype pollution in utility function (`js/prototype-pollution-utility`) | security, external/cwe/cwe-400, external/cwe/cwe-471 | Highlights recursive copying operations that are susceptible to prototype pollution. Results are shown on LGTM by default. |
 | Unsafe jQuery plugin (`js/unsafe-jquery-plugin`) | Highlights potential XSS vulnerabilities in unsafely designed jQuery plugins. Results are shown on LGTM by default. |
+| Unnecessary use of `cat` process (`js/unnecessary-use-of-cat`) | correctness, security, maintainability | Highlights command executions of `cat` where the fs API should be used instead. Results are shown on LGTM by default. |
+
 
 ## Changes to existing queries
 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/UnsignedGEZero.qll b/cpp/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/UnsignedGEZero.qll
index 4ca68fb27c4..e0cc92b6ce8 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/UnsignedGEZero.qll	
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/UnsignedGEZero.qll	
@@ -15,24 +15,33 @@ class ConstantZero extends Expr {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Holds if `candidate` is an expression such that if it's unsigned then we
+ * want an alert at `ge`.
+ */
+private predicate lookForUnsignedAt(GEExpr ge, Expr candidate) {
+  // Base case: `candidate >= 0`
+  ge.getRightOperand() instanceof ConstantZero and
+  candidate = ge.getLeftOperand().getFullyConverted() and
+  // left operand was a signed or unsigned IntegralType before conversions
+  // (not a pointer, checking a pointer >= 0 is an entirely different mistake)
+  // (not an enum, as the fully converted type of an enum is compiler dependent
+  //  so checking an enum >= 0 is always reasonable)
+  ge.getLeftOperand().getUnderlyingType() instanceof IntegralType
+  or
+  // Recursive case: `...(largerType)candidate >= 0`
+  exists(Conversion conversion |
+    lookForUnsignedAt(ge, conversion) and
+    candidate = conversion.getExpr() and
+    conversion.getType().getSize() > candidate.getType().getSize()
+  )
+}
+
 class UnsignedGEZero extends GEExpr {
   UnsignedGEZero() {
-    this.getRightOperand() instanceof ConstantZero and
-    // left operand was a signed or unsigned IntegralType before conversions
-    // (not a pointer, checking a pointer >= 0 is an entirely different mistake)
-    // (not an enum, as the fully converted type of an enum is compiler dependent
-    //  so checking an enum >= 0 is always reasonable)
-    getLeftOperand().getUnderlyingType() instanceof IntegralType and
     exists(Expr ue |
-      // ue is some conversion of the left operand
-      ue = getLeftOperand().getConversion*() and
-      // ue is unsigned
-      ue.getUnderlyingType().(IntegralType).isUnsigned() and
-      // ue may be converted to zero or more strictly larger possibly signed types
-      // before it is fully converted
-      forall(Expr following | following = ue.getConversion+() |
-        following.getType().getSize() > ue.getType().getSize()
-      )
+      lookForUnsignedAt(this, ue) and
+      ue.getUnderlyingType().(IntegralType).isUnsigned()
     )
   }
 }
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Field.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Field.qll
index de52fd79788..eb864a16063 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Field.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Field.qll
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ import semmle.code.cpp.exprs.Access
 class Field extends MemberVariable {
   Field() { fieldoffsets(underlyingElement(this), _, _) }
 
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "Field" }
+
   /**
    * Gets the offset of this field in bytes from the start of its declaring
    * type (on the machine where facts were extracted).
@@ -84,6 +86,8 @@ class Field extends MemberVariable {
 class BitField extends Field {
   BitField() { bitfield(underlyingElement(this), _, _) }
 
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "BitField" }
+
   /**
    * Gets the size of this bitfield in bits (on the machine where facts
    * were extracted).
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Variable.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Variable.qll
index cf85f1f9fd2..8e4a5d73664 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Variable.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/Variable.qll
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ private import semmle.code.cpp.internal.ResolveClass
  * can have multiple declarations.
  */
 class Variable extends Declaration, @variable {
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "Variable" }
+
   /** Gets the initializer of this variable, if any. */
   Initializer getInitializer() { result.getDeclaration() = this }
 
@@ -351,6 +353,8 @@ class StackVariable extends LocalScopeVariable {
  * A local variable can be declared by a `DeclStmt` or a `ConditionDeclExpr`.
  */
 class LocalVariable extends LocalScopeVariable, @localvariable {
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "LocalVariable" }
+
   override string getName() { localvariables(underlyingElement(this), _, result) }
 
   override Type getType() { localvariables(underlyingElement(this), unresolveElement(result), _) }
@@ -396,6 +400,8 @@ class NamespaceVariable extends GlobalOrNamespaceVariable {
   NamespaceVariable() {
     exists(Namespace n | namespacembrs(unresolveElement(n), underlyingElement(this)))
   }
+
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "NamespaceVariable" }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -415,6 +421,8 @@ class NamespaceVariable extends GlobalOrNamespaceVariable {
  */
 class GlobalVariable extends GlobalOrNamespaceVariable {
   GlobalVariable() { not this instanceof NamespaceVariable }
+
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "GlobalVariable" }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -434,6 +442,8 @@ class GlobalVariable extends GlobalOrNamespaceVariable {
 class MemberVariable extends Variable, @membervariable {
   MemberVariable() { this.isMember() }
 
+  override string getCanonicalQLClass() { result = "MemberVariable" }
+
   /** Holds if this member is private. */
   predicate isPrivate() { this.hasSpecifier("private") }
 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/exprs/Expr.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/exprs/Expr.qll
index c71403e84a2..079b031c530 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/exprs/Expr.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/exprs/Expr.qll
@@ -442,6 +442,20 @@ class Expr extends StmtParent, @expr {
     else result = this
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Gets the unique non-`Conversion` expression `e` for which
+   * `this = e.getConversion*()`.
+   *
+   * For example, if called on the expression `(int)(char)x`, this predicate
+   * gets the expression `x`.
+   */
+  Expr getUnconverted() {
+    not this instanceof Conversion and
+    result = this
+    or
+    result = this.(Conversion).getExpr().getUnconverted()
+  }
+
   /**
    * Gets the type of this expression, after any implicit conversions and explicit casts, and after resolving typedefs.
    *
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/DefaultTaintTracking.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/DefaultTaintTracking.qll
index 638e0e0269c..4312afa4611 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/DefaultTaintTracking.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/DefaultTaintTracking.qll
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ private predicate modelTaintToParameter(Function f, int parameterIn, int paramet
 
 /**
  * Holds if `chi` is on the chain of chi-instructions for all aliased memory.
- * Taint shoud not pass through these instructions since they tend to mix up
+ * Taint should not pass through these instructions since they tend to mix up
  * unrelated objects.
  */
 private predicate isChiForAllAliasedMemory(Instruction instr) {
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
index b10997f3f18..e19912a63ee 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
@@ -131,10 +131,7 @@ class ExprNode extends InstructionNode {
    * `Conversion`, then the result is that `Conversion`'s non-`Conversion` base
    * expression.
    */
-  Expr getExpr() {
-    result.getConversion*() = instr.getConvertedResultExpression() and
-    not result instanceof Conversion
-  }
+  Expr getExpr() { result = instr.getUnconvertedResultExpression() }
 
   /**
    * Gets the expression corresponding to this node, if any. The returned
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
index 886183c32ba..83c9ac1215c 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ private newtype TOpcode =
   TSizedBufferReadSideEffect() or
   TSizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect() or
   TSizedBufferMayWriteSideEffect() or
+  TInitializeDynamicAllocation() or
   TChi() or
   TInlineAsm() or
   TUnreached() or
@@ -213,23 +214,28 @@ abstract class IndirectReadOpcode extends IndirectMemoryAccessOpcode {
 }
 
 /**
- * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer of unknown size.
+ * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer.
  */
 abstract class BufferAccessOpcode extends Opcode {
   final override predicate hasAddressOperand() { any() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer of unknown size.
+ */
+abstract class UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode { }
+
 /**
  * An opcode that writes to a memory buffer of unknown size.
  */
-abstract class BufferWriteOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
+abstract class UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode extends UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode {
   final override MemoryAccessKind getWriteMemoryAccess() { result instanceof BufferMemoryAccess }
 }
 
 /**
  * An opcode that reads from a memory buffer of unknown size.
  */
-abstract class BufferReadOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
+abstract class UnsizedBufferReadOpcode extends UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode {
   final override MemoryAccessKind getReadMemoryAccess() { result instanceof BufferMemoryAccess }
 }
 
@@ -261,9 +267,7 @@ abstract class EntireAllocationReadOpcode extends EntireAllocationAccessOpcode {
 /**
  * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer whose size is determined by a `BufferSizeOperand`.
  */
-abstract class SizedBufferAccessOpcode extends Opcode {
-  final override predicate hasAddressOperand() { any() }
-
+abstract class SizedBufferAccessOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
   final override predicate hasBufferSizeOperand() { any() }
 }
 
@@ -666,17 +670,18 @@ module Opcode {
     final override string toString() { result = "IndirectMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferReadSideEffect extends ReadSideEffectOpcode, BufferReadOpcode, TBufferReadSideEffect {
+  class BufferReadSideEffect extends ReadSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferReadOpcode,
+    TBufferReadSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferReadSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferMustWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, BufferWriteOpcode,
+  class BufferMustWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode,
     TBufferMustWriteSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferMustWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferMayWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, BufferWriteOpcode, MayWriteOpcode,
-    TBufferMayWriteSideEffect {
+  class BufferMayWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode,
+    MayWriteOpcode, TBufferMayWriteSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
@@ -695,6 +700,11 @@ module Opcode {
     final override string toString() { result = "SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
+  class InitializeDynamicAllocation extends SideEffectOpcode, EntireAllocationWriteOpcode,
+    TInitializeDynamicAllocation {
+    final override string toString() { result = "InitializeDynamicAllocation" }
+  }
+
   class Chi extends Opcode, TChi {
     final override string toString() { result = "Chi" }
 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
index ee7aebc4749..ae585ec2c7e 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ IRTempVariable getIRTempVariable(Language::AST ast, TempVariableTag tag) {
 
 /**
  * A temporary variable introduced by IR construction. The most common examples are the variable
- * generated to hold the return value of afunction, or the variable generated to hold the result of
+ * generated to hold the return value of a function, or the variable generated to hold the result of
  * a condition operator (`a ? b : c`).
  */
 class IRTempVariable extends IRGeneratedVariable, IRAutomaticVariable, TIRTempVariable {
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/Instruction.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
index d058a6c5a3e..d14cdf08910 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
@@ -1350,6 +1350,26 @@ class SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffectInstruction extends WriteSideEffectInstructio
   Instruction getSizeDef() { result = getAnOperand().(BufferSizeOperand).getDef() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An instruction representing the initial value of newly allocated memory, e.g. the result of a
+ * call to `malloc`.
+ */
+class InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction extends SideEffectInstruction {
+  InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction() {
+    getOpcode() instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the address of the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final AddressOperand getAllocationAddressOperand() { result = getAnOperand() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the operand for the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final Instruction getAllocationAddress() { result = getAllocationAddressOperand().getDef() }
+}
+
 /**
  * An instruction representing a GNU or MSVC inline assembly statement.
  */
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasConfiguration.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasConfiguration.qll
index d9937294d70..e95086c89fc 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasConfiguration.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasConfiguration.qll
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ private newtype TAllocation =
   TVariableAllocation(IRVariable var) or
   TIndirectParameterAllocation(IRAutomaticUserVariable var) {
     exists(InitializeIndirectionInstruction instr | instr.getIRVariable() = var)
+  } or
+  TDynamicAllocation(CallInstruction call) {
+    exists(InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction instr | instr.getPrimaryInstruction() = call)
   }
 
 /**
@@ -95,3 +98,29 @@ class IndirectParameterAllocation extends Allocation, TIndirectParameterAllocati
 
   final override predicate alwaysEscapes() { none() }
 }
+
+class DynamicAllocation extends Allocation, TDynamicAllocation {
+  CallInstruction call;
+
+  DynamicAllocation() { this = TDynamicAllocation(call) }
+
+  final override string toString() {
+    result = call.toString() + " at " + call.getLocation() // This isn't performant, but it's only used in test/dump code right now.
+  }
+
+  final override CallInstruction getABaseInstruction() { result = call }
+
+  final override IRFunction getEnclosingIRFunction() { result = call.getEnclosingIRFunction() }
+
+  final override Language::Location getLocation() { result = call.getLocation() }
+
+  final override string getUniqueId() { result = call.getUniqueId() }
+
+  final override IRType getIRType() { result instanceof IRUnknownType }
+
+  final override predicate isReadOnly() { none() }
+
+  final override predicate isAlwaysAllocatedOnStack() { none() }
+
+  final override predicate alwaysEscapes() { none() }
+}
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasedSSA.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasedSSA.qll
index c65570c5999..e754e8d3849 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasedSSA.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/aliased_ssa/internal/AliasedSSA.qll
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ private predicate hasResultMemoryAccess(
     type = languageType.getIRType() and
     isIndirectOrBufferMemoryAccess(instr.getResultMemoryAccess()) and
     (if instr.hasResultMayMemoryAccess() then isMayAccess = true else isMayAccess = false) and
-    if type.getByteSize() > 0
+    if exists(type.getByteSize())
     then endBitOffset = Ints::add(startBitOffset, Ints::mul(type.getByteSize(), 8))
     else endBitOffset = Ints::unknown()
   )
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ private predicate hasOperandMemoryAccess(
     type = languageType.getIRType() and
     isIndirectOrBufferMemoryAccess(operand.getMemoryAccess()) and
     (if operand.hasMayReadMemoryAccess() then isMayAccess = true else isMayAccess = false) and
-    if type.getByteSize() > 0
+    if exists(type.getByteSize())
     then endBitOffset = Ints::add(startBitOffset, Ints::mul(type.getByteSize(), 8))
     else endBitOffset = Ints::unknown()
   )
@@ -68,8 +68,12 @@ private newtype TMemoryLocation =
     ) and
     languageType = type.getCanonicalLanguageType()
   } or
-  TEntireAllocationMemoryLocation(IndirectParameterAllocation var, boolean isMayAccess) {
-    isMayAccess = false or isMayAccess = true
+  TEntireAllocationMemoryLocation(Allocation var, boolean isMayAccess) {
+    (
+      var instanceof IndirectParameterAllocation or
+      var instanceof DynamicAllocation
+    ) and
+    (isMayAccess = false or isMayAccess = true)
   } or
   TUnknownMemoryLocation(IRFunction irFunc, boolean isMayAccess) {
     isMayAccess = false or isMayAccess = true
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
index ee7aebc4749..ae585ec2c7e 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ IRTempVariable getIRTempVariable(Language::AST ast, TempVariableTag tag) {
 
 /**
  * A temporary variable introduced by IR construction. The most common examples are the variable
- * generated to hold the return value of afunction, or the variable generated to hold the result of
+ * generated to hold the return value of a function, or the variable generated to hold the result of
  * a condition operator (`a ? b : c`).
  */
 class IRTempVariable extends IRGeneratedVariable, IRAutomaticVariable, TIRTempVariable {
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
index d058a6c5a3e..d14cdf08910 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
@@ -1350,6 +1350,26 @@ class SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffectInstruction extends WriteSideEffectInstructio
   Instruction getSizeDef() { result = getAnOperand().(BufferSizeOperand).getDef() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An instruction representing the initial value of newly allocated memory, e.g. the result of a
+ * call to `malloc`.
+ */
+class InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction extends SideEffectInstruction {
+  InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction() {
+    getOpcode() instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the address of the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final AddressOperand getAllocationAddressOperand() { result = getAnOperand() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the operand for the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final Instruction getAllocationAddress() { result = getAllocationAddressOperand().getDef() }
+}
+
 /**
  * An instruction representing a GNU or MSVC inline assembly statement.
  */
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/IRConstruction.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/IRConstruction.qll
index 96ae480405a..dbb27cd1bca 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/IRConstruction.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/IRConstruction.qll
@@ -68,14 +68,7 @@ private module Cached {
 
   cached
   Expr getInstructionUnconvertedResultExpression(Instruction instruction) {
-    exists(Expr converted |
-      result = converted.(Conversion).getExpr+()
-      or
-      result = converted
-    |
-      not result instanceof Conversion and
-      converted = getInstructionConvertedResultExpression(instruction)
-    )
+    result = getInstructionConvertedResultExpression(instruction).getUnconverted()
   }
 
   cached
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedCall.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedCall.qll
index 93e5c43bf3b..fb7dc173812 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedCall.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedCall.qll
@@ -341,16 +341,32 @@ class TranslatedSideEffects extends TranslatedElement, TTranslatedSideEffects {
     )
   }
 
-  override predicate hasInstruction(Opcode opcode, InstructionTag tag, CppType type) { none() }
+  override predicate hasInstruction(Opcode opcode, InstructionTag tag, CppType type) {
+    expr.getTarget() instanceof AllocationFunction and
+    opcode instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation and
+    tag = OnlyInstructionTag() and
+    type = getUnknownType()
+  }
 
-  override Instruction getFirstInstruction() { result = getChild(0).getFirstInstruction() }
+  override Instruction getFirstInstruction() {
+    if expr.getTarget() instanceof AllocationFunction
+    then result = getInstruction(OnlyInstructionTag())
+    else result = getChild(0).getFirstInstruction()
+  }
 
-  override Instruction getInstructionSuccessor(InstructionTag tag, EdgeKind kind) { none() }
+  override Instruction getInstructionSuccessor(InstructionTag tag, EdgeKind kind) {
+    tag = OnlyInstructionTag() and
+    kind = gotoEdge() and
+    expr.getTarget() instanceof AllocationFunction and
+    if exists(getChild(0))
+    then result = getChild(0).getFirstInstruction()
+    else result = getParent().getChildSuccessor(this)
+  }
 
-  override Instruction getInstructionOperand(InstructionTag tag, OperandTag operandTag) { none() }
-
-  override CppType getInstructionOperandType(InstructionTag tag, TypedOperandTag operandTag) {
-    none()
+  override Instruction getInstructionOperand(InstructionTag tag, OperandTag operandTag) {
+    tag = OnlyInstructionTag() and
+    operandTag = addressOperand() and
+    result = getPrimaryInstructionForSideEffect(OnlyInstructionTag())
   }
 
   override Instruction getPrimaryInstructionForSideEffect(InstructionTag tag) {
@@ -487,7 +503,7 @@ class TranslatedSideEffect extends TranslatedElement, TTranslatedArgumentSideEff
   }
 
   override CppType getInstructionOperandType(InstructionTag tag, TypedOperandTag operandTag) {
-    if hasSpecificReadSideEffect(any(Opcode::BufferReadSideEffect op))
+    if hasSpecificReadSideEffect(any(BufferAccessOpcode op))
     then
       result = getUnknownType() and
       tag instanceof OnlyInstructionTag and
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedElement.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedElement.qll
index 64dc7e869c2..81abc58495d 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedElement.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/raw/internal/TranslatedElement.qll
@@ -411,7 +411,9 @@ newtype TTranslatedElement =
   TTranslatedConditionDecl(ConditionDeclExpr expr) { not ignoreExpr(expr) } or
   // The side effects of a `Call`
   TTranslatedSideEffects(Call expr) {
-    exists(TTranslatedArgumentSideEffect(expr, _, _, _)) or expr instanceof ConstructorCall
+    exists(TTranslatedArgumentSideEffect(expr, _, _, _)) or
+    expr instanceof ConstructorCall or
+    expr.getTarget() instanceof AllocationFunction
   } or // A precise side effect of an argument to a `Call`
   TTranslatedArgumentSideEffect(Call call, Expr expr, int n, boolean isWrite) {
     (
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
index ee7aebc4749..ae585ec2c7e 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ IRTempVariable getIRTempVariable(Language::AST ast, TempVariableTag tag) {
 
 /**
  * A temporary variable introduced by IR construction. The most common examples are the variable
- * generated to hold the return value of afunction, or the variable generated to hold the result of
+ * generated to hold the return value of a function, or the variable generated to hold the result of
  * a condition operator (`a ? b : c`).
  */
 class IRTempVariable extends IRGeneratedVariable, IRAutomaticVariable, TIRTempVariable {
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
index d058a6c5a3e..d14cdf08910 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
@@ -1350,6 +1350,26 @@ class SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffectInstruction extends WriteSideEffectInstructio
   Instruction getSizeDef() { result = getAnOperand().(BufferSizeOperand).getDef() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An instruction representing the initial value of newly allocated memory, e.g. the result of a
+ * call to `malloc`.
+ */
+class InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction extends SideEffectInstruction {
+  InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction() {
+    getOpcode() instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the address of the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final AddressOperand getAllocationAddressOperand() { result = getAnOperand() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the operand for the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final Instruction getAllocationAddress() { result = getAllocationAddressOperand().getDef() }
+}
+
 /**
  * An instruction representing a GNU or MSVC inline assembly statement.
  */
diff --git a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/stmts/Stmt.qll b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/stmts/Stmt.qll
index f64b5f2fb31..1640bee0f35 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/stmts/Stmt.qll
+++ b/cpp/ql/src/semmle/code/cpp/stmts/Stmt.qll
@@ -1604,30 +1604,18 @@ class EnumSwitch extends SwitchStmt {
    * ```
    * there are results `GREEN` and `BLUE`.
    */
-  pragma[noopt]
   EnumConstant getAMissingCase() {
     exists(Enum et |
-      exists(Expr e, Type t |
-        e = this.getExpr() and
-        this instanceof EnumSwitch and
-        t = e.getType() and
-        et = t.getUnderlyingType()
-      ) and
+      et = this.getExpr().getUnderlyingType() and
       result = et.getAnEnumConstant() and
-      not exists(string value |
-        exists(SwitchCase sc, Expr e |
-          sc = this.getASwitchCase() and
-          e = sc.getExpr() and
-          value = e.getValue()
-        ) and
-        exists(Initializer init, Expr e |
-          init = result.getInitializer() and
-          e = init.getExpr() and
-          e.getValue() = value
-        )
-      )
+      not this.matchesValue(result.getInitializer().getExpr().getValue())
     )
   }
+
+  pragma[noinline]
+  private predicate matchesValue(string value) {
+    value = this.getASwitchCase().getExpr().getValue()
+  }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted.expected
index 7359b068d8e..a62b9b3e204 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted.expected
@@ -52,3 +52,18 @@
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:15:75:18 | call to atoi |  |
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv |  |
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:20:75:45 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:8:24:8:25 | s1 |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:11:20:11:21 | s1 |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:11:36:11:37 | s2 |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:17:83:24 | userName |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:28:83:46 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:85:8:85:11 | copy |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:2:86:7 | call to strcpy |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:9:86:12 | copy |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:15:86:22 | userName |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:6:88:27 | ! ... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:7:88:12 | call to strcmp |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:7:88:27 | (bool)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:14:88:17 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:14:88:17 | copy |  |
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_diff.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_diff.expected
index ed954b5444a..ca905d71823 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_diff.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_diff.expected
@@ -8,3 +8,6 @@
 | test.cpp:68:28:68:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:69:10:69:13 | copy | AST only |
 | test.cpp:68:28:68:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:70:12:70:15 | copy | AST only |
 | test.cpp:68:28:68:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:71:12:71:15 | copy | AST only |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:11:20:11:21 | s1 | AST only |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:85:8:85:11 | copy | AST only |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:9:86:12 | copy | AST only |
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_ir.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_ir.expected
index 114c213ff54..1a7027d399c 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_ir.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/tainted_ir.expected
@@ -40,3 +40,15 @@
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:15:75:18 | call to atoi |  |
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv |  |
 | test.cpp:75:20:75:25 | call to getenv | test.cpp:75:20:75:45 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:8:24:8:25 | s1 |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:11:36:11:37 | s2 |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:17:83:24 | userName |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:83:28:83:46 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:2:86:7 | call to strcpy |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:86:15:86:22 | userName |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:6:88:27 | ! ... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:7:88:12 | call to strcmp |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:7:88:27 | (bool)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:14:88:17 | (const char *)... |  |
+| test.cpp:83:28:83:33 | call to getenv | test.cpp:88:14:88:17 | copy |  |
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/test.cpp b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/test.cpp
index 5eb7ee79b46..9d28f9680ca 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/test.cpp
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/dataflow/security-taint/test.cpp
@@ -76,3 +76,16 @@ void guard() {
     if (len > 1000) return;
     char **node = (char **) malloc(len * sizeof(char *));
 }
+
+const char *alias_global;
+
+void mallocBuffer() {
+    const char *userName = getenv("USER_NAME");
+	char *alias = (char*)malloc(4096);
+	char *copy = (char*)malloc(4096);
+	strcpy(copy, userName);
+	alias_global = alias; // to force a Chi node on all aliased memory
+	if (!strcmp(copy, "admin")) { // copy should be tainted
+		isAdmin = true;
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/declarationEntry.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/declarationEntry.expected
index 912fa5bf1b3..76f564d1f7b 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/declarationEntry.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/declarationEntry.expected
@@ -27,3 +27,5 @@
 | declarationEntry.cpp:31:4:31:19 | myMemberVariable | declarationEntry.cpp:31:4:31:19 | definition of myMemberVariable | 1 | 1 |
 | declarationEntry.cpp:34:22:34:28 | mtc_int | declarationEntry.cpp:34:22:34:28 | definition of mtc_int | 1 | 1 |
 | declarationEntry.cpp:35:24:35:32 | mtc_short | declarationEntry.cpp:35:24:35:32 | definition of mtc_short | 1 | 1 |
+| macro.c:2:1:2:3 | foo | macro.c:2:1:2:3 | declaration of foo | 1 | 1 |
+| macro.c:4:5:4:8 | main | macro.c:4:5:4:8 | definition of main | 1 | 1 |
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.expected
index 6a452473c72..9a544200cae 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.expected
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
-| declarationEntry.c:2:6:2:20 | declaration of myFirstFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.c:4:6:4:21 | definition of mySecondFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.c:8:6:8:20 | definition of myThirdFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.c:13:2:13:2 | declaration of myFourthFunction | isImplicit |
-| declarationEntry.c:14:2:14:2 | declaration of myFifthFunction | isImplicit |
-| declarationEntry.c:17:6:17:21 | declaration of myFourthFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:9:6:9:15 | declaration of myFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:11:6:11:15 | definition of myFunction |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  |
-| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  |
+| declarationEntry.c:2:6:2:20 | declaration of myFirstFunction |  | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.c:4:6:4:21 | definition of mySecondFunction |  | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.c:8:6:8:20 | definition of myThirdFunction |  | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.c:13:2:13:2 | declaration of myFourthFunction | isImplicit | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.c:14:2:14:2 | declaration of myFifthFunction | isImplicit | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.c:17:6:17:21 | declaration of myFourthFunction |  | 1 | c_linkage |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:9:6:9:15 | declaration of myFunction |  | 0 |  |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:11:6:11:15 | definition of myFunction |  | 0 |  |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  | 0 |  |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  | 0 |  |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  | 0 |  |
+| declarationEntry.cpp:28:7:28:7 | declaration of operator= |  | 0 |  |
+| macro.c:2:1:2:3 | declaration of foo |  | 2 | c_linkage, static |
+| macro.c:4:5:4:8 | definition of main |  | 1 | c_linkage |
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.ql b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.ql
index 7d120121e88..fbc97861f4b 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.ql
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/fde.ql
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@ import cpp
 
 from FunctionDeclarationEntry fde, string imp
 where if fde.isImplicit() then imp = "isImplicit" else imp = ""
-select fde, imp
+select fde, imp, count(fde.getASpecifier()), concat(fde.getASpecifier().toString(), ", ")
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/macro.c b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/macro.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..590b6a92b95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/declarationEntry/declarationEntry/macro.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#define Foo static void foo()
+Foo;
+
+int main()
+{
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir.expected
index 8f312e7f47f..07c0a9fdd97 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir.expected
@@ -1238,3 +1238,47 @@ ssa.cpp:
 #  254|     v254_10(void)          = UnmodeledUse              : mu*
 #  254|     v254_11(void)          = AliasedUse                : ~m262_1
 #  254|     v254_12(void)          = ExitFunction              : 
+
+#  268| void* MallocAliasing(void*, int)
+#  268|   Block 0
+#  268|     v268_1(void)           = EnterFunction                      : 
+#  268|     m268_2(unknown)        = AliasedDefinition                  : 
+#  268|     m268_3(unknown)        = InitializeNonLocal                 : 
+#  268|     m268_4(unknown)        = Chi                                : total:m268_2, partial:m268_3
+#  268|     mu268_5(unknown)       = UnmodeledDefinition                : 
+#  268|     r268_6(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  268|     m268_7(void *)         = InitializeParameter[s]             : &:r268_6
+#  268|     r268_8(void *)         = Load                               : &:r268_6, m268_7
+#  268|     m268_9(unknown)        = InitializeIndirection[s]           : &:r268_8
+#  268|     r268_10(glval<int>)    = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  268|     m268_11(int)           = InitializeParameter[size]          : &:r268_10
+#  269|     r269_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  269|     r269_2(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[malloc]            : 
+#  269|     r269_3(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  269|     r269_4(int)            = Load                               : &:r269_3, m268_11
+#  269|     r269_5(void *)         = Call                               : func:r269_2, 0:r269_4
+#  269|     m269_6(unknown)        = ^CallSideEffect                    : ~m268_9
+#  269|     m269_7(unknown)        = Chi                                : total:m268_9, partial:m269_6
+#  269|     m269_8(unknown)        = ^InitializeDynamicAllocation       : &:r269_5
+#  269|     m269_9(void *)         = Store                              : &:r269_1, r269_5
+#  270|     r270_1(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[memcpy]            : 
+#  270|     r270_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  270|     r270_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_2, m269_9
+#  270|     r270_4(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  270|     r270_5(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_4, m268_7
+#  270|     r270_6(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  270|     r270_7(int)            = Load                               : &:r270_6, m268_11
+#  270|     r270_8(void *)         = Call                               : func:r270_1, 0:r270_3, 1:r270_5, 2:r270_7
+#  270|     v270_9(void)           = ^SizedBufferReadSideEffect[1]      : &:r270_5, r270_7, ~m269_8
+#  270|     m270_10(unknown)       = ^SizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect[0] : &:r270_3, r270_7
+#  270|     m270_11(unknown)       = Chi                                : total:m269_8, partial:m270_10
+#  271|     r271_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  271|     r271_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  271|     r271_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r271_2, m269_9
+#  271|     m271_4(void *)         = Store                              : &:r271_1, r271_3
+#  268|     v268_12(void)          = ReturnIndirection                  : &:r268_8, ~m270_11
+#  268|     r268_13(glval<void *>) = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  268|     v268_14(void)          = ReturnValue                        : &:r268_13, m271_4
+#  268|     v268_15(void)          = UnmodeledUse                       : mu*
+#  268|     v268_16(void)          = AliasedUse                         : ~m270_11
+#  268|     v268_17(void)          = ExitFunction                       : 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
index c09c280bf9b..c6e1955c12d 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/aliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
@@ -1233,3 +1233,47 @@ ssa.cpp:
 #  254|     v254_10(void)          = UnmodeledUse              : mu*
 #  254|     v254_11(void)          = AliasedUse                : ~m262_1
 #  254|     v254_12(void)          = ExitFunction              : 
+
+#  268| void* MallocAliasing(void*, int)
+#  268|   Block 0
+#  268|     v268_1(void)           = EnterFunction                      : 
+#  268|     m268_2(unknown)        = AliasedDefinition                  : 
+#  268|     m268_3(unknown)        = InitializeNonLocal                 : 
+#  268|     m268_4(unknown)        = Chi                                : total:m268_2, partial:m268_3
+#  268|     mu268_5(unknown)       = UnmodeledDefinition                : 
+#  268|     r268_6(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  268|     m268_7(void *)         = InitializeParameter[s]             : &:r268_6
+#  268|     r268_8(void *)         = Load                               : &:r268_6, m268_7
+#  268|     m268_9(unknown)        = InitializeIndirection[s]           : &:r268_8
+#  268|     r268_10(glval<int>)    = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  268|     m268_11(int)           = InitializeParameter[size]          : &:r268_10
+#  269|     r269_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  269|     r269_2(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[malloc]            : 
+#  269|     r269_3(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  269|     r269_4(int)            = Load                               : &:r269_3, m268_11
+#  269|     r269_5(void *)         = Call                               : func:r269_2, 0:r269_4
+#  269|     m269_6(unknown)        = ^CallSideEffect                    : ~m268_4
+#  269|     m269_7(unknown)        = Chi                                : total:m268_4, partial:m269_6
+#  269|     m269_8(unknown)        = ^InitializeDynamicAllocation       : &:r269_5
+#  269|     m269_9(void *)         = Store                              : &:r269_1, r269_5
+#  270|     r270_1(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[memcpy]            : 
+#  270|     r270_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  270|     r270_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_2, m269_9
+#  270|     r270_4(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  270|     r270_5(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_4, m268_7
+#  270|     r270_6(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  270|     r270_7(int)            = Load                               : &:r270_6, m268_11
+#  270|     r270_8(void *)         = Call                               : func:r270_1, 0:r270_3, 1:r270_5, 2:r270_7
+#  270|     v270_9(void)           = ^SizedBufferReadSideEffect[1]      : &:r270_5, r270_7, ~m268_9
+#  270|     m270_10(unknown)       = ^SizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect[0] : &:r270_3, r270_7
+#  270|     m270_11(unknown)       = Chi                                : total:m269_8, partial:m270_10
+#  271|     r271_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  271|     r271_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  271|     r271_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r271_2, m269_9
+#  271|     m271_4(void *)         = Store                              : &:r271_1, r271_3
+#  268|     v268_12(void)          = ReturnIndirection                  : &:r268_8, m268_9
+#  268|     r268_13(glval<void *>) = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  268|     v268_14(void)          = ReturnValue                        : &:r268_13, m271_4
+#  268|     v268_15(void)          = UnmodeledUse                       : mu*
+#  268|     v268_16(void)          = AliasedUse                         : ~m269_7
+#  268|     v268_17(void)          = ExitFunction                       : 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/ssa.cpp b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/ssa.cpp
index 5bdfd254e8f..ee75a2f28e4 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/ssa.cpp
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/ssa.cpp
@@ -262,3 +262,11 @@ char StringLiteralAliasing2(bool b) {
   const char* s = "Literal";
   return s[2];
 }
+
+void *malloc(int size);
+
+void *MallocAliasing(void *s, int size) {
+  void *buf = malloc(size);
+  memcpy(buf, s, size);
+  return buf;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir.expected
index 213f97589d6..fb7a6eccc15 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir.expected
@@ -1147,3 +1147,44 @@ ssa.cpp:
 #  254|     v254_9(void)           = UnmodeledUse              : mu*
 #  254|     v254_10(void)          = AliasedUse                : ~mu254_4
 #  254|     v254_11(void)          = ExitFunction              : 
+
+#  268| void* MallocAliasing(void*, int)
+#  268|   Block 0
+#  268|     v268_1(void)           = EnterFunction                      : 
+#  268|     mu268_2(unknown)       = AliasedDefinition                  : 
+#  268|     mu268_3(unknown)       = InitializeNonLocal                 : 
+#  268|     mu268_4(unknown)       = UnmodeledDefinition                : 
+#  268|     r268_5(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  268|     m268_6(void *)         = InitializeParameter[s]             : &:r268_5
+#  268|     r268_7(void *)         = Load                               : &:r268_5, m268_6
+#  268|     mu268_8(unknown)       = InitializeIndirection[s]           : &:r268_7
+#  268|     r268_9(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  268|     m268_10(int)           = InitializeParameter[size]          : &:r268_9
+#  269|     r269_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  269|     r269_2(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[malloc]            : 
+#  269|     r269_3(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  269|     r269_4(int)            = Load                               : &:r269_3, m268_10
+#  269|     r269_5(void *)         = Call                               : func:r269_2, 0:r269_4
+#  269|     mu269_6(unknown)       = ^CallSideEffect                    : ~mu268_4
+#  269|     mu269_7(unknown)       = ^InitializeDynamicAllocation       : &:r269_5
+#  269|     m269_8(void *)         = Store                              : &:r269_1, r269_5
+#  270|     r270_1(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[memcpy]            : 
+#  270|     r270_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  270|     r270_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_2, m269_8
+#  270|     r270_4(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  270|     r270_5(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_4, m268_6
+#  270|     r270_6(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  270|     r270_7(int)            = Load                               : &:r270_6, m268_10
+#  270|     r270_8(void *)         = Call                               : func:r270_1, 0:r270_3, 1:r270_5, 2:r270_7
+#  270|     v270_9(void)           = ^SizedBufferReadSideEffect[1]      : &:r270_5, r270_7, ~mu268_4
+#  270|     mu270_10(unknown)      = ^SizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect[0] : &:r270_3, r270_7
+#  271|     r271_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  271|     r271_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  271|     r271_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r271_2, m269_8
+#  271|     m271_4(void *)         = Store                              : &:r271_1, r271_3
+#  268|     v268_11(void)          = ReturnIndirection                  : &:r268_7, ~mu268_4
+#  268|     r268_12(glval<void *>) = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  268|     v268_13(void)          = ReturnValue                        : &:r268_12, m271_4
+#  268|     v268_14(void)          = UnmodeledUse                       : mu*
+#  268|     v268_15(void)          = AliasedUse                         : ~mu268_4
+#  268|     v268_16(void)          = ExitFunction                       : 
diff --git a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
index 213f97589d6..fb7a6eccc15 100644
--- a/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
+++ b/cpp/ql/test/library-tests/ir/ssa/unaliased_ssa_ir_unsound.expected
@@ -1147,3 +1147,44 @@ ssa.cpp:
 #  254|     v254_9(void)           = UnmodeledUse              : mu*
 #  254|     v254_10(void)          = AliasedUse                : ~mu254_4
 #  254|     v254_11(void)          = ExitFunction              : 
+
+#  268| void* MallocAliasing(void*, int)
+#  268|   Block 0
+#  268|     v268_1(void)           = EnterFunction                      : 
+#  268|     mu268_2(unknown)       = AliasedDefinition                  : 
+#  268|     mu268_3(unknown)       = InitializeNonLocal                 : 
+#  268|     mu268_4(unknown)       = UnmodeledDefinition                : 
+#  268|     r268_5(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  268|     m268_6(void *)         = InitializeParameter[s]             : &:r268_5
+#  268|     r268_7(void *)         = Load                               : &:r268_5, m268_6
+#  268|     mu268_8(unknown)       = InitializeIndirection[s]           : &:r268_7
+#  268|     r268_9(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  268|     m268_10(int)           = InitializeParameter[size]          : &:r268_9
+#  269|     r269_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  269|     r269_2(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[malloc]            : 
+#  269|     r269_3(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  269|     r269_4(int)            = Load                               : &:r269_3, m268_10
+#  269|     r269_5(void *)         = Call                               : func:r269_2, 0:r269_4
+#  269|     mu269_6(unknown)       = ^CallSideEffect                    : ~mu268_4
+#  269|     mu269_7(unknown)       = ^InitializeDynamicAllocation       : &:r269_5
+#  269|     m269_8(void *)         = Store                              : &:r269_1, r269_5
+#  270|     r270_1(glval<unknown>) = FunctionAddress[memcpy]            : 
+#  270|     r270_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  270|     r270_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_2, m269_8
+#  270|     r270_4(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[s]                 : 
+#  270|     r270_5(void *)         = Load                               : &:r270_4, m268_6
+#  270|     r270_6(glval<int>)     = VariableAddress[size]              : 
+#  270|     r270_7(int)            = Load                               : &:r270_6, m268_10
+#  270|     r270_8(void *)         = Call                               : func:r270_1, 0:r270_3, 1:r270_5, 2:r270_7
+#  270|     v270_9(void)           = ^SizedBufferReadSideEffect[1]      : &:r270_5, r270_7, ~mu268_4
+#  270|     mu270_10(unknown)      = ^SizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect[0] : &:r270_3, r270_7
+#  271|     r271_1(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  271|     r271_2(glval<void *>)  = VariableAddress[buf]               : 
+#  271|     r271_3(void *)         = Load                               : &:r271_2, m269_8
+#  271|     m271_4(void *)         = Store                              : &:r271_1, r271_3
+#  268|     v268_11(void)          = ReturnIndirection                  : &:r268_7, ~mu268_4
+#  268|     r268_12(glval<void *>) = VariableAddress[#return]           : 
+#  268|     v268_13(void)          = ReturnValue                        : &:r268_12, m271_4
+#  268|     v268_14(void)          = UnmodeledUse                       : mu*
+#  268|     v268_15(void)          = AliasedUse                         : ~mu268_4
+#  268|     v268_16(void)          = ExitFunction                       : 
diff --git a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
index 886183c32ba..83c9ac1215c 100644
--- a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
+++ b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/Opcode.qll
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ private newtype TOpcode =
   TSizedBufferReadSideEffect() or
   TSizedBufferMustWriteSideEffect() or
   TSizedBufferMayWriteSideEffect() or
+  TInitializeDynamicAllocation() or
   TChi() or
   TInlineAsm() or
   TUnreached() or
@@ -213,23 +214,28 @@ abstract class IndirectReadOpcode extends IndirectMemoryAccessOpcode {
 }
 
 /**
- * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer of unknown size.
+ * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer.
  */
 abstract class BufferAccessOpcode extends Opcode {
   final override predicate hasAddressOperand() { any() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer of unknown size.
+ */
+abstract class UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode { }
+
 /**
  * An opcode that writes to a memory buffer of unknown size.
  */
-abstract class BufferWriteOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
+abstract class UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode extends UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode {
   final override MemoryAccessKind getWriteMemoryAccess() { result instanceof BufferMemoryAccess }
 }
 
 /**
  * An opcode that reads from a memory buffer of unknown size.
  */
-abstract class BufferReadOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
+abstract class UnsizedBufferReadOpcode extends UnsizedBufferAccessOpcode {
   final override MemoryAccessKind getReadMemoryAccess() { result instanceof BufferMemoryAccess }
 }
 
@@ -261,9 +267,7 @@ abstract class EntireAllocationReadOpcode extends EntireAllocationAccessOpcode {
 /**
  * An opcode that accesses a memory buffer whose size is determined by a `BufferSizeOperand`.
  */
-abstract class SizedBufferAccessOpcode extends Opcode {
-  final override predicate hasAddressOperand() { any() }
-
+abstract class SizedBufferAccessOpcode extends BufferAccessOpcode {
   final override predicate hasBufferSizeOperand() { any() }
 }
 
@@ -666,17 +670,18 @@ module Opcode {
     final override string toString() { result = "IndirectMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferReadSideEffect extends ReadSideEffectOpcode, BufferReadOpcode, TBufferReadSideEffect {
+  class BufferReadSideEffect extends ReadSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferReadOpcode,
+    TBufferReadSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferReadSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferMustWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, BufferWriteOpcode,
+  class BufferMustWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode,
     TBufferMustWriteSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferMustWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
-  class BufferMayWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, BufferWriteOpcode, MayWriteOpcode,
-    TBufferMayWriteSideEffect {
+  class BufferMayWriteSideEffect extends WriteSideEffectOpcode, UnsizedBufferWriteOpcode,
+    MayWriteOpcode, TBufferMayWriteSideEffect {
     final override string toString() { result = "BufferMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
@@ -695,6 +700,11 @@ module Opcode {
     final override string toString() { result = "SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffect" }
   }
 
+  class InitializeDynamicAllocation extends SideEffectOpcode, EntireAllocationWriteOpcode,
+    TInitializeDynamicAllocation {
+    final override string toString() { result = "InitializeDynamicAllocation" }
+  }
+
   class Chi extends Opcode, TChi {
     final override string toString() { result = "Chi" }
 
diff --git a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
index ee7aebc4749..ae585ec2c7e 100644
--- a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
+++ b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/IRVariable.qll
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ IRTempVariable getIRTempVariable(Language::AST ast, TempVariableTag tag) {
 
 /**
  * A temporary variable introduced by IR construction. The most common examples are the variable
- * generated to hold the return value of afunction, or the variable generated to hold the result of
+ * generated to hold the return value of a function, or the variable generated to hold the result of
  * a condition operator (`a ? b : c`).
  */
 class IRTempVariable extends IRGeneratedVariable, IRAutomaticVariable, TIRTempVariable {
diff --git a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
index d058a6c5a3e..d14cdf08910 100644
--- a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
+++ b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/raw/Instruction.qll
@@ -1350,6 +1350,26 @@ class SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffectInstruction extends WriteSideEffectInstructio
   Instruction getSizeDef() { result = getAnOperand().(BufferSizeOperand).getDef() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An instruction representing the initial value of newly allocated memory, e.g. the result of a
+ * call to `malloc`.
+ */
+class InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction extends SideEffectInstruction {
+  InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction() {
+    getOpcode() instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the address of the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final AddressOperand getAllocationAddressOperand() { result = getAnOperand() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the operand for the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final Instruction getAllocationAddress() { result = getAllocationAddressOperand().getDef() }
+}
+
 /**
  * An instruction representing a GNU or MSVC inline assembly statement.
  */
diff --git a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
index ee7aebc4749..ae585ec2c7e 100644
--- a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
+++ b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/IRVariable.qll
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ IRTempVariable getIRTempVariable(Language::AST ast, TempVariableTag tag) {
 
 /**
  * A temporary variable introduced by IR construction. The most common examples are the variable
- * generated to hold the return value of afunction, or the variable generated to hold the result of
+ * generated to hold the return value of a function, or the variable generated to hold the result of
  * a condition operator (`a ? b : c`).
  */
 class IRTempVariable extends IRGeneratedVariable, IRAutomaticVariable, TIRTempVariable {
diff --git a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
index d058a6c5a3e..d14cdf08910 100644
--- a/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
+++ b/csharp/ql/src/semmle/code/csharp/ir/implementation/unaliased_ssa/Instruction.qll
@@ -1350,6 +1350,26 @@ class SizedBufferMayWriteSideEffectInstruction extends WriteSideEffectInstructio
   Instruction getSizeDef() { result = getAnOperand().(BufferSizeOperand).getDef() }
 }
 
+/**
+ * An instruction representing the initial value of newly allocated memory, e.g. the result of a
+ * call to `malloc`.
+ */
+class InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction extends SideEffectInstruction {
+  InitializeDynamicAllocationInstruction() {
+    getOpcode() instanceof Opcode::InitializeDynamicAllocation
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the address of the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final AddressOperand getAllocationAddressOperand() { result = getAnOperand() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the operand for the allocation this instruction is initializing.
+   */
+  final Instruction getAllocationAddress() { result = getAllocationAddressOperand().getDef() }
+}
+
 /**
  * An instruction representing a GNU or MSVC inline assembly statement.
  */
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Customizations.qll b/java/ql/src/Customizations.qll
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1f5716726e3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/java/ql/src/Customizations.qll
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+/**
+ * Contains customizations to the standard library.
+ *
+ * This module is imported by `java.qll`, so any customizations defined here automatically
+ * apply to all queries.
+ *
+ * Typical examples of customizations include adding new subclasses of abstract classes such as
+ * the `RemoteFlowSource` and `AdditionalTaintStep` classes associated with the security queries
+ * to model frameworks that are not covered by the standard library.
+ */
+
+import java
diff --git a/java/ql/src/java.qll b/java/ql/src/java.qll
index c8e3b71f18b..6454a0d282b 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/java.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/java.qll
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /** Provides all default Java QL imports. */
 
+import Customizations
 import semmle.code.FileSystem
 import semmle.code.Location
 import semmle.code.java.Annotation
diff --git a/javascript/ql/examples/queries/dataflow/StoredXss/StoredXss.ql b/javascript/ql/examples/queries/dataflow/StoredXss/StoredXss.ql
index 5d7234ef504..2a00a49c020 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/examples/queries/dataflow/StoredXss/StoredXss.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/examples/queries/dataflow/StoredXss/StoredXss.ql
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ import DataFlow::PathGraph
  */
 class MysqlSource extends StoredXss::Source {
   MysqlSource() {
-    this = moduleImport("mysql")
+    this =
+      moduleImport("mysql")
           .getAMemberCall("createConnection")
           .getAMethodCall("query")
           .getCallback(1)
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.qhelp b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.qhelp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5ef218bdf59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.qhelp
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+<!DOCTYPE qhelp PUBLIC
+"-//Semmle//qhelp//EN"
+"qhelp.dtd">
+<qhelp>
+<overview>
+<p>Using the unix command <code>cat</code> only to read a file is an 
+unnecessarily complex way to achieve something that can be done in a simpler 
+and safer manner using the Node.js <code>fs.readFile</code> API.
+</p>
+<p>
+The use of <code>cat</code> for simple file reads leads to code that is 
+unportable, inefficient, complex, and can lead to subtle bugs or even 
+security vulnerabilities. 
+</p>
+</overview>
+<recommendation>
+<p>
+Use <code>fs.readFile</code> or <code>fs.readFileSync</code> to read files 
+from the file system. 
+</p>
+</recommendation>
+<example>
+
+<p>The following example shows code that reads a file using <code>cat</code>:</p>
+
+<sample src="examples/useless-cat.js"/>
+
+<p>The code in the example will break if the input <code>name</code> contains 
+special characters (including space). Additionally, it does not work on Windows 
+and if the input is user-controlled, a command injection attack can happen.</p>
+
+<p>The <code>fs.readFile</code> API should be used to avoid these potential issues: </p>
+
+<sample src="examples/useless-cat-fixed.js"/>
+
+</example>
+<references>
+
+<li>OWASP: <a href="https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Command_Injection">Command Injection</a>.</li>
+<li>Node.js: <a href="https://nodejs.org/api/fs.html">File System API</a>.</li>
+<li><a href="http://porkmail.org/era/unix/award.html#cat">The Useless Use of Cat Award</a>.</li>
+
+
+</references>
+</qhelp>
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6b0ed59e632
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+/**
+ * @name Unnecessary use of `cat` process
+ * @description Using the  `cat` process to read a file is unnecessarily complex, inefficient, unportable, and can lead to subtle bugs, or even security vulnerabilities.
+ * @kind problem
+ * @problem.severity error
+ * @precision high
+ * @id js/unnecessary-use-of-cat
+ * @tags correctness
+ *       security
+ *       maintainability
+ */
+
+import javascript
+import semmle.javascript.security.UselessUseOfCat
+import semmle.javascript.RestrictedLocations
+
+from UselessCat cat, string message
+where
+  message = " Can be replaced with: " + PrettyPrintCatCall::createReadFileCall(cat)
+  or
+  not exists(PrettyPrintCatCall::createReadFileCall(cat)) and
+  if cat.isSync()
+  then message = " Can be replaced with a call to fs.readFileSync(..)."
+  else message = " Can be replaced with a call to fs.readFile(..)."
+select cat.asExpr().(FirstLineOf), "Unnecessary use of `cat` process." + message
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat-fixed.js b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat-fixed.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..225fa1f5869
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat-fixed.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+var fs = require('fs');
+
+module.exports = function (name) {
+    return fs.readFileSync(name).toString();
+};
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat.js b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..78f099d0e4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/Security/CWE-078/examples/useless-cat.js
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+var child_process = require('child_process');
+
+module.exports = function (name) {
+    return child_process.execSync("cat " + name).toString();
+};
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/Concepts.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/Concepts.qll
index 23bbbce3b16..798747af8b8 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/Concepts.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/Concepts.qll
@@ -22,6 +22,14 @@ abstract class SystemCommandExecution extends DataFlow::Node {
    * to the command.
    */
   DataFlow::Node getArgumentList() { none() }
+
+  /** Holds if the command execution happens synchronously. */
+  abstract predicate isSync();
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the data-flow node (if it exists) for an options argument.
+   */
+  abstract DataFlow::Node getOptionsArg();
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/NodeJSLib.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/NodeJSLib.qll
index 1fca6e624ed..cee84c9b460 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/NodeJSLib.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/NodeJSLib.qll
@@ -632,6 +632,22 @@ module NodeJSLib {
       // all of the above methods take the argument list as their second argument
       result = getArgument(1)
     }
+
+    override predicate isSync() {
+      "Sync" = methodName.suffix(methodName.length() - 4)
+    }
+
+    override DataFlow::Node getOptionsArg() {
+      not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::FunctionNode and // looks like callback
+      not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode and // looks like argumentlist
+      not result = getArgument(0) and
+      // fork/spawn and all sync methos always has options as the last argument
+      if methodName.regexpMatch("fork.*") or methodName.regexpMatch("spawn.*") or methodName.regexpMatch(".*Sync") then
+        result = getLastArgument()
+      else 
+        // the rest (exec/execFile) has the options argument as their second last.
+        result = getArgument(this.getNumArgument() - 2)
+    }
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/ShellJS.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/ShellJS.qll
index 22605479244..6944b7e74a3 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/ShellJS.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/ShellJS.qll
@@ -160,6 +160,15 @@ module ShellJS {
     override DataFlow::Node getACommandArgument() { result = getArgument(0) }
 
     override predicate isShellInterpreted(DataFlow::Node arg) { arg = getACommandArgument() }
+
+    override predicate isSync() {none ()}
+
+    override DataFlow::Node getOptionsArg() {
+      result = getLastArgument() and
+      not result = getArgument(0) and
+      not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::FunctionNode and // looks like callback
+      not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode // looks like argumentlist
+    }
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/SystemCommandExecutors.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/SystemCommandExecutors.qll
index 32bfd8f70f7..8c9535d5f7e 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/SystemCommandExecutors.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/frameworks/SystemCommandExecutors.qll
@@ -7,14 +7,17 @@ import javascript
 
 private class SystemCommandExecutors extends SystemCommandExecution, DataFlow::InvokeNode {
   int cmdArg;
+  int optionsArg; // either a positive number representing the n'th argument, or a negative number representing the n'th last argument (e.g. -2 is the second last argument).
   boolean shell;
+  boolean sync;
 
   SystemCommandExecutors() {
     exists(string mod, DataFlow::SourceNode callee |
       exists(string method |
-        mod = "cross-spawn" and method = "sync" and cmdArg = 0 and shell = false
+        mod = "cross-spawn" and method = "sync" and cmdArg = 0 and shell = false and optionsArg = -1
         or
         mod = "execa" and
+        optionsArg = -1 and
         (
           shell = false and
           (
@@ -30,27 +33,30 @@ private class SystemCommandExecutors extends SystemCommandExecution, DataFlow::I
         ) and
         cmdArg = 0
       |
-        callee = DataFlow::moduleMember(mod, method)
+        callee = DataFlow::moduleMember(mod, method) and
+        sync = getSync(method)
       )
       or
+      sync = false and
       (
         shell = false and
         (
-          mod = "cross-spawn" and cmdArg = 0
+          mod = "cross-spawn" and cmdArg = 0 and optionsArg = -1
           or
-          mod = "cross-spawn-async" and cmdArg = 0
+          mod = "cross-spawn-async" and cmdArg = 0 and optionsArg = -1
           or
-          mod = "exec-async" and cmdArg = 0
+          mod = "exec-async" and cmdArg = 0 and optionsArg = -1
           or
-          mod = "execa" and cmdArg = 0
+          mod = "execa" and cmdArg = 0 and optionsArg = -1
         )
         or
         shell = true and
         (
           mod = "exec" and
+          optionsArg = -2 and
           cmdArg = 0
           or
-          mod = "remote-exec" and cmdArg = 1
+          mod = "remote-exec" and cmdArg = 1 and optionsArg = -1
         )
       ) and
       callee = DataFlow::moduleImport(mod)
@@ -64,4 +70,30 @@ private class SystemCommandExecutors extends SystemCommandExecution, DataFlow::I
   override predicate isShellInterpreted(DataFlow::Node arg) {
     arg = getACommandArgument() and shell = true
   }
+
+  override DataFlow::Node getArgumentList() { shell = false and result = getArgument(1) }
+
+  override predicate isSync() { sync = true }
+
+  override DataFlow::Node getOptionsArg() {
+    (
+      if optionsArg < 0
+      then
+        result = getArgument(getNumArgument() + optionsArg) and
+        getNumArgument() + optionsArg > cmdArg
+      else result = getArgument(optionsArg)
+    ) and
+    not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::FunctionNode and // looks like callback
+    not result.getALocalSource() instanceof DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode // looks like argumentlist
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Gets a boolean reflecting if the name ends with "sync" or "Sync".
+ */
+bindingset[name]
+private boolean getSync(string name) {
+  if name.suffix(name.length() - 4) = "Sync" or name.suffix(name.length() - 4) = "sync"
+  then result = true
+  else result = false
 }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/UselessUseOfCat.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/UselessUseOfCat.qll
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4c8b3815586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/UselessUseOfCat.qll
@@ -0,0 +1,331 @@
+/**
+ * Provides predicates and classes for working with useless uses of the unix command `cat`.
+ */
+
+import javascript
+import Expressions.ExprHasNoEffect
+import Declarations.UnusedVariable
+
+/**
+ * A call that executes a system command.
+ * This class provides utility predicates for reasoning about command execution calls.
+ */
+private class CommandCall extends DataFlow::InvokeNode {
+  SystemCommandExecution command;
+
+  CommandCall() { this = command }
+
+  /**
+   * Holds if the call is synchronous (e.g. `execFileSync`).
+   */
+  predicate isSync() { command.isSync() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets a list that specifies the arguments given to the command.
+   */
+  DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode getArgumentList() { result = command.getArgumentList().getALocalSource() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the callback (if it exists) for an async `exec`-like call.
+   */
+  DataFlow::FunctionNode getCallback() {
+    not this.isSync() and result = getLastArgument().getALocalSource()
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Holds if the executed command execution has an argument list as a separate argument.
+   */
+  predicate hasArgumentList() { exists(getArgumentList()) }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the data-flow node (if it exists) for an options argument for an `exec`-like call.
+   */
+  DataFlow::Node getOptionsArg() { result = command.getOptionsArg() }
+
+  /**
+   * Gets the constant-string parts that are not part of the command itself.
+   * E.g. for a command execution `exec("/bin/cat foo bar")` this predicate will have result `"foo bar"`.
+   */
+  string getNonCommandConstantString() {
+    if this.hasArgumentList()
+    then
+      result =
+        getConstantStringParts(getArgumentList()
+              .getALocalSource()
+              .(DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode)
+              .getElement(_))
+    else
+      exists(string commandString | commandString = getConstantStringParts(getArgument(0)) |
+        result = commandString.suffix(1 + commandString.indexOf(" ", 0, 0))
+      )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Holds if this command execution invokes the executeable `name`.
+   */
+  bindingset[name]
+  predicate isACallTo(string name) {
+    if this.hasArgumentList()
+    then getArgument(0).mayHaveStringValue(name)
+    else
+      exists(string arg | arg = getConstantStringParts(getArgument(0)) |
+        arg.prefix(name.length()) = name
+      )
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Holds if the input `str` contains some character that might be interpreted in a non-trivial way by a shell. 
+ */ 
+bindingset[str]
+private predicate containsNonTrivialShellChar(string str) {
+  exists(str.regexpFind("\\*|\\||>|<| |\\$|&|,|\\`| |;", _, _))
+}
+
+/**
+ * Gets the constant string parts from a data-flow node.
+ * Either the result is a constant string value that the node can hold, or the node is a string-concatenation and the result is the string parts from the concatenation.
+ */
+private string getConstantStringParts(DataFlow::Node node) {
+  node.mayHaveStringValue(result)
+  or
+  result = node.(StringOps::ConcatenationRoot).getConstantStringParts()
+}
+
+/**
+ * A call to a useless use of `cat`.
+ */
+class UselessCat extends CommandCall {
+  UselessCat() {
+    this = command and
+    isACallTo(getACatExecuteable()) and
+    // There is a file to read, it's not just spawning `cat`.
+    not (
+      not exists(getArgumentList()) and
+      getArgument(0).mayHaveStringValue(getACatExecuteable())
+    ) and
+    // wildcards, pipes, redirections, other bash features, and multiple files (spaces) are OK.
+    not containsNonTrivialShellChar(getNonCommandConstantString()) and
+    // Only acceptable option is "encoding", everything else is non-trivial to emulate with fs.readFile.
+    (
+      not exists(getOptionsArg())
+      or
+      forex(string prop | exists(getOptionsArg().getALocalSource().getAPropertyWrite(prop)) |
+        prop = "encoding"
+      )
+    ) and
+    // If there is a callback, then it must either have one or two parameters, or if there is a third parameter it must be unused.
+    (
+      not exists(getCallback())
+      or
+      exists(DataFlow::FunctionNode func | func = getCallback() |
+        func.getNumParameter() = 1
+        or
+        func.getNumParameter() = 2
+        or
+        // `exec` can use 3 parameters, `readFile` can only use two, so it is OK to have a third parameter if it is unused,
+        func.getNumParameter() = 3 and
+        not exists(SSA::definition(func.getParameter(2).getParameter()))
+      )
+    ) and
+    // The process returned by an async call is unused.
+    (
+      isSync()
+      or
+      inVoidContext(this.getEnclosingExpr())
+      or
+      this.getEnclosingExpr() = any(UnusedLocal v).getAnAssignedExpr()
+    )
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Gets a string used to call `cat`.
+ */
+private string getACatExecuteable() {
+  result = "cat" or result = "/bin/cat"
+}
+
+/**
+ * Predicates for creating an equivalent call to `fs.readFile` from a command execution of `cat`.
+ */
+module PrettyPrintCatCall {
+  /**
+   * Create a string representation of an equivalent call to `fs.readFile` for a given command execution `cat`.
+   */
+  string createReadFileCall(UselessCat cat) {
+    exists(string sync, string extraArg, string callback, string fileArg |
+      (if cat.isSync() then sync = "Sync" else sync = "") and
+      (
+        exists(cat.getOptionsArg()) and
+        (
+          extraArg = ", " + createOptionsArg(cat.getOptionsArg())
+          or
+          not exists(createOptionsArg(cat.getOptionsArg())) and
+          extraArg = ", ..."
+        )
+        or
+        extraArg = "" and not exists(cat.getOptionsArg())
+      ) and
+      (
+        callback = createCallbackString(cat.getCallback())
+        or
+        callback = "" and not exists(cat.getCallback())
+      ) and
+      fileArg = createFileArgument(cat).trim() and
+     // sanity check in case of surprising `toString` results, other uses of `containsNonTrivialBashChar` should ensure that this conjunct will hold most of the time
+      not(containsNonTrivialShellChar(fileArg.regexpReplaceAll("\\$|\\`| ", ""))) // string concat might contain " ", template strings might contain "$" or `, and that is OK. 
+    |
+      result =
+        "fs.readFile" + sync + "(" + fileArg + extraArg + callback + ")"
+    )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representation of the expression that determines what file is read by `cat`.
+   */
+  string createFileArgument(CommandCall cat) {
+    if cat.hasArgumentList()
+    then
+      cat.getArgument(0).mayHaveStringValue(getACatExecuteable()) and
+      result = createFileThatIsReadFromCommandList(cat)
+    else result = createFileArgumentWithoutCat(cat.getArgument(0))
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representing the callback `func`.
+   */
+  string createCallbackString(DataFlow::FunctionNode func) {
+    exists(string params | params = createCallbackParams(func) |
+      if func.getFunction() instanceof ArrowFunctionExpr
+      then
+        if func.getFunction().getBody() instanceof Expr
+        then result = ", (" + params + ") => ..."
+        else result = ", (" + params + ") => {...}"
+      else result = ", function(" + params + ") {...}"
+    )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string concatenation of the parameter names in a function `func`.
+   */
+  private string createCallbackParams(DataFlow::FunctionNode func) {
+    result =
+      concat(int i |
+        i = [0 .. func.getNumParameter()]
+      |
+        func.getParameter(i).getName(), ", " order by i
+      )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representation of the options argument `arg` from an exec-like call.
+   */
+  private string createOptionsArg(DataFlow::Node arg) {
+    result = arg.asExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable().getName()
+    or
+    // fall back to toString(), but ensure that we don't have dots in the middle.
+    result = arg.(DataFlow::ObjectLiteralNode).toString() and not result.regexpMatch(".*\\.\\..*")
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representation of a string concatenation.
+   */
+  private string createConcatRepresentation(StringOps::ConcatenationRoot root) {
+    // String concat
+    not exists(root.getStringValue()) and
+    not root.asExpr() instanceof TemplateLiteral and
+    forall(Expr e | e = root.getALeaf().asExpr() | exists(createLeafRepresentation(e))) and
+    result =
+      concat(Expr leaf |
+        leaf = root.getALeaf().asExpr()
+      |
+        createLeafRepresentation(leaf), " + " order by leaf.getFirstToken().getIndex()
+      )
+    or
+    // Template string
+    exists(TemplateLiteral template | template = root.asExpr() |
+      forall(Expr e | e = template.getAChild() | exists(createTemplateElementRepresentation(e))) and
+      result =
+        "`" +
+          concat(int i |
+            i = [0 .. template.getNumChild() - 1]
+          |
+            createTemplateElementRepresentation(template.getChild(i)) order by i
+          ) + "`"
+    )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representing the expression needed to re-create the value for a leaf in a string-concatenation.
+   */
+  private string createLeafRepresentation(Expr e) {
+    result = "\"" + e.getStringValue() + "\"" or
+    result = e.(VarAccess).getVariable().getName()
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representing the expression needed to re-create the value for an element of a template string.
+   */
+  private string createTemplateElementRepresentation(Expr e) {
+    result = "${" + e.(VarAccess).getVariable().getName() + "}"
+    or
+    result = e.(TemplateElement).getValue()
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a string representing an expression that gets the file read by a call to `cat`.
+   * The input `arg` is the node that determines the commandline where `cat` is invoked.
+   */
+  private string createFileArgumentWithoutCat(DataFlow::Node arg) {
+    exists(string cat | cat = getACatExecuteable() |
+      exists(string command | arg.mayHaveStringValue(command) |
+        command.prefix(cat.length()) = cat and
+        result = "\"" + command.suffix(cat.length()).trim() + "\""
+      )
+      or
+      exists(StringOps::ConcatenationRoot root, string printed, string quote |
+        root = arg and printed = createConcatRepresentation(root).suffix(1) // remove initial quote
+      |
+        (if root.asExpr() instanceof TemplateLiteral then quote = "`" else quote = "\"") and
+        root.getFirstLeaf().getStringValue().prefix(cat.length()) = cat and
+        exists(string rawConcat | rawConcat = quote + printed.suffix(cat.length()).trim() |
+          result = createSimplifiedStringConcat(rawConcat)
+        )
+      )
+    )
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create a simplified and equivalent string concatenation for a given string concatenation `str`
+   */
+  bindingset[str]
+  private string createSimplifiedStringConcat(string str) {
+    // Remove an initial ""+ (e.g. in `""+file`)
+    if str.prefix(5) = "\"\" + "
+    then result = str.suffix(5)
+    else
+      // prettify `${newpath}` to just newpath
+      if
+        str.prefix(3) = "`${" and
+        str.suffix(str.length() - 2) = "}`" and
+        not str.suffix(3).matches("%{%")
+      then result = str.prefix(str.length() - 2).suffix(3)
+      else result = str
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Create the file that is read for a call with an explicit command list (e.g. `child_process.execFile/execFileSync`).
+   */
+  string createFileThatIsReadFromCommandList(CommandCall call) {
+    exists(DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode array, DataFlow::Node element |
+      array = call.getArgumentList().(DataFlow::ArrayCreationNode) and
+      array.getSize() = 1 and
+      element = array.getElement(0)
+    |
+      result = element.asExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable().getName() or
+      result = "\"" + element.getStringValue() + "\"" or
+      result = createConcatRepresentation(element)
+    )
+  }
+}
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPath.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPath.qll
index 8dca676af46..242504a9c59 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPath.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPath.qll
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ module TaintedPath {
       guard instanceof StartsWithDirSanitizer or
       guard instanceof IsAbsoluteSanitizer or
       guard instanceof ContainsDotDotSanitizer or
-      guard instanceof RelativePathStartsWithDotDotSanitizer or
+      guard instanceof RelativePathStartsWithSanitizer or
       guard instanceof IsInsideCheckSanitizer
     }
 
diff --git a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPathCustomizations.qll b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPathCustomizations.qll
index d1be274314c..2ed29813835 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPathCustomizations.qll
+++ b/javascript/ql/src/semmle/javascript/security/dataflow/TaintedPathCustomizations.qll
@@ -368,29 +368,47 @@ module TaintedPath {
    *   // pathname is safe
    * }
    * ```
+   *
+   * or
+   * ```
+   * var relative = path.resolve(pathname); // or path.normalize
+   * if(relative.startsWith(webroot) {
+   *   // pathname is safe
+   * } else {
+   *   // pathname is unsafe
+   * }
+   * ```
    */
-  class RelativePathStartsWithDotDotSanitizer extends DataFlow::BarrierGuardNode {
+  class RelativePathStartsWithSanitizer extends DataFlow::BarrierGuardNode {
     StringOps::StartsWith startsWith;
-    DataFlow::CallNode relativeCall;
+    DataFlow::CallNode pathCall;
+    string member;
 
-    RelativePathStartsWithDotDotSanitizer() {
+    RelativePathStartsWithSanitizer() {
+      (member = "relative" or member = "resolve" or member = "normalize") and
       this = startsWith and
-      relativeCall = NodeJSLib::Path::moduleMember("relative").getACall() and
+      pathCall = NodeJSLib::Path::moduleMember(member).getACall() and
       (
-        startsWith.getBaseString().getALocalSource() = relativeCall
+        startsWith.getBaseString().getALocalSource() = pathCall
         or
         startsWith
             .getBaseString()
             .getALocalSource()
             .(NormalizingPathCall)
             .getInput()
-            .getALocalSource() = relativeCall
+            .getALocalSource() = pathCall
       ) and
-      isDotDotSlashPrefix(startsWith.getSubstring())
+      (not member = "relative" or isDotDotSlashPrefix(startsWith.getSubstring()))
     }
 
     override predicate blocks(boolean outcome, Expr e) {
-      e = relativeCall.getArgument(1).asExpr() and outcome = startsWith.getPolarity().booleanNot()
+      member = "relative" and
+      e = pathCall.getArgument(1).asExpr() and
+      outcome = startsWith.getPolarity().booleanNot()
+      or
+      not member = "relative" and
+      e = pathCall.getArgument(0).asExpr() and
+      outcome = startsWith.getPolarity()
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CallGraphs/AnnotatedTest/Test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CallGraphs/AnnotatedTest/Test.ql
index dd41c794213..06b9671c2f5 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CallGraphs/AnnotatedTest/Test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CallGraphs/AnnotatedTest/Test.ql
@@ -34,9 +34,7 @@ class AnnotatedCall extends InvokeExpr {
 
   AnnotatedFunction getAnExpectedCallee() { result.getCalleeName() = getCallTargetName() }
 
-  int getBoundArgs() {
-    result = getAnnotation(this, "boundArgs").toInt()
-  }
+  int getBoundArgs() { result = getAnnotation(this, "boundArgs").toInt() }
 
   int getBoundArgsOrMinusOne() {
     result = getBoundArgs()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Classes/tests.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Classes/tests.ql
index 41fb13f3af0..5cb3c90db85 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Classes/tests.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Classes/tests.ql
@@ -17,4 +17,4 @@ import ConstructorDefinitions
 import ClassNodeConstructor
 import ClassNodeInstanceMethod
 import PrivateField
-import ClassFlow
\ No newline at end of file
+import ClassFlow
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CustomLoadStoreSteps/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CustomLoadStoreSteps/test.ql
index e4ffc89294d..0bde5a737a6 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CustomLoadStoreSteps/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/CustomLoadStoreSteps/test.ql
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class Configuration extends TaintTracking::Configuration {
 
   // When the source code states that "foo" is being read, "bar" is additionally being read.
   override predicate isAdditionalLoadStep(DataFlow::Node pred, DataFlow::Node succ, string prop) {
-    exists(DataFlow::PropRead read | read = succ | 
+    exists(DataFlow::PropRead read | read = succ |
       read.getBase() = pred and
       read.getPropertyName() = "foo"
     ) and
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/DependencyModuleImports/Test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/DependencyModuleImports/Test.ql
index 9b8e63bf6d2..0552ff7b48a 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/DependencyModuleImports/Test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/DependencyModuleImports/Test.ql
@@ -32,9 +32,8 @@ class SampleVersionSink extends DataFlow::Node {
       functionName = "m1" and
       argNumber = 0
     |
-      this = DataFlow::dependencyModuleImport(dep)
-            .getAMemberCall(functionName)
-            .getArgument(argNumber) and
+      this =
+        DataFlow::dependencyModuleImport(dep).getAMemberCall(functionName).getArgument(argNumber) and
       dep.info(dependencyName, vDep) and
       vDep.maybeBetween(vFrom, vTo)
     )
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/PartialInvokeNode/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/PartialInvokeNode/test.ql
index a7e5a010a05..1c2093d0dad 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/PartialInvokeNode/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/PartialInvokeNode/test.ql
@@ -1,21 +1,21 @@
 import javascript
 
-query
-DataFlow::Node getBoundFunction(DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke, DataFlow::Node callback, int boundArgs) {
+query DataFlow::Node getBoundFunction(
+  DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke, DataFlow::Node callback, int boundArgs
+) {
   result = invoke.getBoundFunction(callback, boundArgs)
 }
 
-query
-predicate isPartialArgument(DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke, DataFlow::Node callback, DataFlow::Node argument, int index) {
+query predicate isPartialArgument(
+  DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke, DataFlow::Node callback, DataFlow::Node argument, int index
+) {
   invoke.isPartialArgument(callback, argument, index)
 }
 
-query
-DataFlow::Node getBoundReceiver(DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke) {
+query DataFlow::Node getBoundReceiver(DataFlow::PartialInvokeNode invoke) {
   result = invoke.getBoundReceiver()
 }
 
-query
-DataFlow::Node clickEvent() {
+query DataFlow::Node clickEvent() {
   result = DataFlow::globalVarRef("addEventListener").getACall().getABoundCallbackParameter(1, 0)
 }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Promises/tests.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Promises/tests.ql
index 2490f378970..bcb41981fe0 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Promises/tests.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/Promises/tests.ql
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ import PromiseDefinition_getAResolveHandler
 import PromiseDefinition_getRejectParameter
 import PromiseDefinition_getResolveParameter
 import PromiseDefinition_getACatchHandler
-import flow
\ No newline at end of file
+import flow
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RangeAnalysis/DeadBranch.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RangeAnalysis/DeadBranch.ql
index 8e6a798d737..d1554c34933 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RangeAnalysis/DeadBranch.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RangeAnalysis/DeadBranch.ql
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ class AssertionComment extends LineComment {
     isOK = true and
     exists(ConditionGuardNode guard | guard = getAGuardNode() |
       RangeAnalysis::isContradictoryGuardNode(guard) and
-      result = "Error: analysis claims " + getTestExpr() + " is always " +
-          guard.getOutcome().booleanNot()
+      result =
+        "Error: analysis claims " + getTestExpr() + " is always " + guard.getOutcome().booleanNot()
     )
     or
     isOK = false and
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/EscapeInString/EscapeInString.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/EscapeInString/EscapeInString.ql
index f824fe01920..22fcecfe3c6 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/EscapeInString/EscapeInString.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/EscapeInString/EscapeInString.ql
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import javascript
 
 from StringLiteral literal, RegExpDot dot, int pos
-where dot.getParent*() = literal
-  and pos = dot.getLocation().getStartColumn() - literal.getLocation().getStartColumn()
+where
+  dot.getParent*() = literal and
+  pos = dot.getLocation().getStartColumn() - literal.getLocation().getStartColumn()
 select dot, literal.getRawValue().charAt(pos)
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/MissingUnicodeFlag/MissingUnicodeFlag.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/MissingUnicodeFlag/MissingUnicodeFlag.ql
index 80c214b41d6..e8d47d789f3 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/MissingUnicodeFlag/MissingUnicodeFlag.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/MissingUnicodeFlag/MissingUnicodeFlag.ql
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import javascript
 
 from RegExpLiteral literal, RegExpConstant wideConstant
-where wideConstant.getLiteral() = literal and
+where
+  wideConstant.getLiteral() = literal and
   not literal.getFlags().matches("%u%") and
   wideConstant.getValue().length() > 1 and
   (
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getPredecessor.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getPredecessor.ql
index c356564dc7f..c38742da802 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getPredecessor.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getPredecessor.ql
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@ import javascript
 
 from RegExpTerm pred, RegExpTerm succ
 where pred = succ.getPredecessor()
-select pred, succ
\ No newline at end of file
+select pred, succ
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getSuccessor.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getSuccessor.ql
index 49916f8c426..486a874c975 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getSuccessor.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/RegExp/predecessors_and_successors/getSuccessor.ql
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@ import javascript
 
 from RegExpTerm pred, RegExpTerm succ
 where succ = pred.getSuccessor()
-select pred, succ
\ No newline at end of file
+select pred, succ
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/ParsedTorrent.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/ParsedTorrent.ql
index 1ad59af1d8b..eb50d8d4414 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/ParsedTorrent.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/ParsedTorrent.ql
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 import javascript
 
-select any(ParseTorrent::ParsedTorrent t)
\ No newline at end of file
+select any(ParseTorrent::ParsedTorrent t)
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/UserControlledTorrentInfo.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/UserControlledTorrentInfo.ql
index 85d08e75896..c18323953bf 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/UserControlledTorrentInfo.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/UserControlledTorrentInfo.ql
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 import javascript
 
-select any(ParseTorrent::UserControlledTorrentInfo i)
\ No newline at end of file
+select any(ParseTorrent::UserControlledTorrentInfo i)
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/parsedTorrentRef.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/parsedTorrentRef.ql
index e72bde720f3..69701796383 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/parsedTorrentRef.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TorrentLibraries/parsedTorrentRef.ql
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 import javascript
 
-select ParseTorrent::parsedTorrentRef()
\ No newline at end of file
+select ParseTorrent::parsedTorrentRef()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatureTypes/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatureTypes/test.ql
index 57105b7de6b..03cc288f054 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatureTypes/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatureTypes/test.ql
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ query predicate test_ExprSignature(Expr expr, string type) {
   type = getASignatureOrElseType(expr.getType())
 }
 
-query predicate test_TypeReferenceSig(TypeReference type, SignatureKind kind, int n, CallSignatureType sig) {
+query predicate test_TypeReferenceSig(
+  TypeReference type, SignatureKind kind, int n, CallSignatureType sig
+) {
   sig = type.getSignature(kind, n)
 }
 
@@ -21,9 +23,7 @@ query predicate test_FunctionCallSig(Function f, CallSignatureType sig) {
   sig = f.getCallSignature()
 }
 
-query Type test_getRestParameterType(CallSignatureType sig) {
-  result = sig.getRestParameterType()
-}
+query Type test_getRestParameterType(CallSignatureType sig) { result = sig.getRestParameterType() }
 
 query Type test_getRestParameterArray(CallSignatureType sig) {
   result = sig.getRestParameterArrayType()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatures/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatures/test.ql
index f3d79f91feb..e1254629fe1 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatures/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/CallSignatures/test.ql
@@ -1,12 +1,16 @@
 import javascript
 
-query predicate test_CallSignature(CallSignature call, string declType, ASTNode body, string abstractness) {
+query predicate test_CallSignature(
+  CallSignature call, string declType, ASTNode body, string abstractness
+) {
   (if call.isAbstract() then abstractness = "abstract" else abstractness = "not abstract") and
   declType = call.getDeclaringType().describe() and
   body = call.getBody()
 }
 
-query predicate test_IndexSignature(IndexSignature sig, string declType, ASTNode body, string abstractness) {
+query predicate test_IndexSignature(
+  IndexSignature sig, string declType, ASTNode body, string abstractness
+) {
   (if sig.isAbstract() then abstractness = "abstract" else abstractness = "not abstract") and
   declType = sig.getDeclaringType().describe() and
   body = sig.getBody()
@@ -21,12 +25,16 @@ query predicate test_MethodOverload(MethodDeclaration method, int index, boolean
   if method.isOverloaded() then overloaded = true else overloaded = false
 }
 
-query predicate test_FunctionCallSigOverload(FunctionCallSignature sig, int index, boolean overloaded) {
+query predicate test_FunctionCallSigOverload(
+  FunctionCallSignature sig, int index, boolean overloaded
+) {
   index = sig.getOverloadIndex() and
   if sig.isOverloaded() then overloaded = true else overloaded = false
 }
 
-query predicate test_ConstructorCallSigOverload(ConstructorCallSignature sig, int index, boolean overloaded) {
+query predicate test_ConstructorCallSigOverload(
+  ConstructorCallSignature sig, int index, boolean overloaded
+) {
   index = sig.getOverloadIndex() and
   if sig.isOverloaded() then overloaded = true else overloaded = false
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/ImportMeta/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/ImportMeta/test.ql
index 311aa4b4050..3753c8bab98 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/ImportMeta/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/ImportMeta/test.ql
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@ import javascript
 
 from Expr prop
 where prop instanceof ImportMetaExpr
-select prop
\ No newline at end of file
+select prop
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Namespaces/CheckBindings.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Namespaces/CheckBindings.ql
index a3c29fc4023..1e313974e97 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Namespaces/CheckBindings.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Namespaces/CheckBindings.ql
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ string getNamespaceName(NamespaceDeclaration decl) {
   result = decl.getStmt(0).(ExprStmt).getExpr().getStringValue()
   or
   not decl.getStmt(0).(ExprStmt).getExpr() instanceof ConstantString and
-  result = "Namespace " + decl.getId() + " on line " +
-      decl.getFirstToken().getLocation().getStartLine()
+  result =
+    "Namespace " + decl.getId() + " on line " + decl.getFirstToken().getLocation().getStartLine()
 }
 
 from ResolveCall resolve
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PathMapping/Imports.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PathMapping/Imports.ql
index bd272eee884..a271f821ac4 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PathMapping/Imports.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PathMapping/Imports.ql
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import javascript
 
-query predicate symbols(ASTNode astNode, CanonicalName symbol) {
-    ast_node_symbol(astNode, symbol)
-}
+query predicate symbols(ASTNode astNode, CanonicalName symbol) { ast_node_symbol(astNode, symbol) }
 
 from Import imprt
 select imprt, imprt.getImportedModule()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PrivateFields/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PrivateFields/test.ql
index 27147fcb461..bf1f61039f5 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PrivateFields/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/PrivateFields/test.ql
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 import javascript
 
-query PropAccess propAccess(string name) {
-    result.getPropertyName() = name
-}
+query PropAccess propAccess(string name) { result.getPropertyName() = name }
 
-query FieldDeclaration fieldDecl(string name) {
-    result.getName() = name
-}
+query FieldDeclaration fieldDecl(string name) { result.getName() = name }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/ImportSelf/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/ImportSelf/test.ql
index 267a0e32c7a..d194e75f71a 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/ImportSelf/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/ImportSelf/test.ql
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import javascript
 
 // We're mainly testing extraction succeeds, so just test that some types are extracted.
-
-from Expr e select e, e.getType()
+from Expr e
+select e, e.getType()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/TraceResolution/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/TraceResolution/test.ql
index 9b7f3a42e02..574b7c54d4e 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/TraceResolution/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/RegressionTests/TraceResolution/test.ql
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 import javascript
 
-from Expr e select e, e.getType()
+from Expr e
+select e, e.getType()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Tokens/PrettyPrintTokens.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Tokens/PrettyPrintTokens.ql
index 1f5491fc28c..c040343b2ad 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Tokens/PrettyPrintTokens.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/Tokens/PrettyPrintTokens.ql
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ Token getATokenAtLine(File file, int line) {
 
 bindingset[line]
 string getTokenStringAtLine(File file, int line) {
-  result = concat(Token tok |
+  result =
+    concat(Token tok |
       tok = getATokenAtLine(file, line)
     |
       tok.toString().replaceAll(" ", "~") + " " order by tok.getLocation().getStartColumn()
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeAliases/TypeAliases.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeAliases/TypeAliases.ql
index 60b404be4b3..e8133898ff2 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeAliases/TypeAliases.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeAliases/TypeAliases.ql
@@ -3,18 +3,10 @@ import javascript
 from TypeAliasDeclaration decl
 select decl, decl.getIdentifier(), decl.getNumTypeParameter(), decl.getDefinition()
 
-query Type rightHandSide(TypeAliasDeclaration decl) {
-  result = decl.getDefinition().getType()
-}
+query Type rightHandSide(TypeAliasDeclaration decl) { result = decl.getDefinition().getType() }
 
-query Type getAliasedType(TypeAliasReference ref) {
-  result = ref.getAliasedType()
-}
+query Type getAliasedType(TypeAliasReference ref) { result = ref.getAliasedType() }
 
-query Type getTypeArgument(TypeAliasReference ref, int n) {
-  result = ref.getTypeArgument(n)
-}
+query Type getTypeArgument(TypeAliasReference ref, int n) { result = ref.getTypeArgument(n) }
 
-query Type unfold(TypeAliasReference t) {
-  result = t.unfold()
-}
+query Type unfold(TypeAliasReference t) { result = t.unfold() }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeOnlyImportExport/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeOnlyImportExport/test.ql
index 17939b3b380..df364791e6c 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeOnlyImportExport/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/TypeScript/TypeOnlyImportExport/test.ql
@@ -1,22 +1,14 @@
 import javascript
 
-query VarRef getAVarReference(Variable v) {
-    result = v.getAReference()
-}
+query VarRef getAVarReference(Variable v) { result = v.getAReference() }
 
-query VarRef getAnExportAccess(LocalTypeName t) {
-    result = t.getAnExportAccess()
-}
+query VarRef getAnExportAccess(LocalTypeName t) { result = t.getAnExportAccess() }
 
-query TypeDecl getATypeDecl(LocalTypeName t) {
-    result = t.getADeclaration()
-}
+query TypeDecl getATypeDecl(LocalTypeName t) { result = t.getADeclaration() }
 
-query Function calls(DataFlow::InvokeNode invoke) {
-    result = invoke.getACallee()
-}
+query Function calls(DataFlow::InvokeNode invoke) { result = invoke.getACallee() }
 
 query predicate exportsAs(ExportDeclaration exprt, LexicalName v, string name, string kind) {
-    exprt.exportsAs(v, name) and
-    kind = v.getDeclarationSpace()
+  exprt.exportsAs(v, name) and
+  kind = v.getDeclarationSpace()
 }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/EventEmitter/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/EventEmitter/test.ql
index 846536672b1..e8de4ff4c53 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/EventEmitter/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/EventEmitter/test.ql
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 import javascript
 
 query predicate taintSteps(DataFlow::Node pred, DataFlow::Node succ) {
-  exists(DataFlow::AdditionalFlowStep step | 
-    step.step(pred, succ)
-  )
+  exists(DataFlow::AdditionalFlowStep step | step.step(pred, succ))
 }
-
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/LazyCache/LazyCache.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/LazyCache/LazyCache.ql
index bca53d0f163..95c42bf99eb 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/LazyCache/LazyCache.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/LazyCache/LazyCache.ql
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
 import javascript
 
-query DataFlow::Node moduleImport(string name) {
-    result = DataFlow::moduleImport(name)
-}
+query DataFlow::Node moduleImport(string name) { result = DataFlow::moduleImport(name) }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/WebSocket/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/WebSocket/test.ql
index 5cb76ca7ec2..e7b9d451a55 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/WebSocket/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/WebSocket/test.ql
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@ query ServerWebSocket::ReceiveNode serverReceive() { any() }
 
 query predicate taintStep(DataFlow::Node pred, DataFlow::Node succ) {
   any(DataFlow::AdditionalFlowStep s).step(pred, succ)
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/typeahead/test.ql b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/typeahead/test.ql
index 4b444d66bd0..29b76a1851e 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/typeahead/test.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/library-tests/frameworks/typeahead/test.ql
@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 import javascript
 
-query DataFlow::Node url() {
-   result = any(ClientRequest r).getUrl()	
-}
+query DataFlow::Node url() { result = any(ClientRequest r).getUrl() }
 
 query DataFlow::Node response(string responseType, boolean promise) {
-   result = any(ClientRequest r).getAResponseDataNode(responseType, promise)	
+  result = any(ClientRequest r).getAResponseDataNode(responseType, promise)
 }
 
-query DataFlow::Node suggestionFunction() {
-  result = any(Typeahead::TypeaheadSuggestionFunction t)	
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+query DataFlow::Node suggestionFunction() { result = any(Typeahead::TypeaheadSuggestionFunction t) }
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-020/UselessCharacterEscape.ql b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-020/UselessCharacterEscape.ql
index ea18eafe350..9e4f8d9f67f 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-020/UselessCharacterEscape.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-020/UselessCharacterEscape.ql
@@ -6,6 +6,4 @@ where
   char = getAnIdentityEscapedCharacter(n, _, _) and
   not hasALikelyRegExpPatternMistake(n) and
   not char = "\n" // ignore escaped newlines in multiline strings
-select n,
-  "The escape sequence '\\" + char + "' is equivalent to just '" +
-    char + "'."
+select n, "The escape sequence '\\" + char + "' is equivalent to just '" + char + "'."
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/TaintedPath.expected b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/TaintedPath.expected
index 1256634d8e5..6f7fdeae63d 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/TaintedPath.expected
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/TaintedPath.expected
@@ -1631,6 +1631,29 @@ nodes
 | normalizedPaths.js:332:19:332:32 | normalizedPath |
 | normalizedPaths.js:332:19:332:32 | normalizedPath |
 | normalizedPaths.js:332:19:332:32 | normalizedPath |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path |
@@ -4736,6 +4759,34 @@ edges
 | normalizedPaths.js:320:45:320:48 | path | normalizedPaths.js:320:23:320:49 | pathMod ... , path) |
 | normalizedPaths.js:320:45:320:48 | path | normalizedPaths.js:320:23:320:49 | pathMod ... , path) |
 | normalizedPaths.js:320:45:320:48 | path | normalizedPaths.js:320:23:320:49 | pathMod ... , path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) | normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) | normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) | normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) | normalizedPaths.js:339:6:339:46 | path |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
+| normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:339:13:339:46 | pathMod ... y.path) |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:11:19:11:22 | path |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:11:19:11:22 | path |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:9:7:9:48 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:11:19:11:22 | path |
@@ -5952,6 +6003,8 @@ edges
 | normalizedPaths.js:316:19:316:22 | path | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:316:19:316:22 | path | This path depends on $@. | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | a user-provided value |
 | normalizedPaths.js:325:19:325:32 | normalizedPath | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:325:19:325:32 | normalizedPath | This path depends on $@. | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | a user-provided value |
 | normalizedPaths.js:332:19:332:32 | normalizedPath | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:332:19:332:32 | normalizedPath | This path depends on $@. | normalizedPaths.js:303:13:303:26 | req.query.path | a user-provided value |
+| normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path | normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:341:18:341:21 | path | This path depends on $@. | normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | a user-provided value |
+| normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path | normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | normalizedPaths.js:346:19:346:22 | path | This path depends on $@. | normalizedPaths.js:339:32:339:45 | req.query.path | a user-provided value |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:11:19:11:22 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | other-fs-libraries.js:11:19:11:22 | path | This path depends on $@. | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | a user-provided value |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:12:27:12:30 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | other-fs-libraries.js:12:27:12:30 | path | This path depends on $@. | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | a user-provided value |
 | other-fs-libraries.js:13:24:13:27 | path | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | other-fs-libraries.js:13:24:13:27 | path | This path depends on $@. | other-fs-libraries.js:9:24:9:30 | req.url | a user-provided value |
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/normalizedPaths.js b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/normalizedPaths.js
index 6a7a143f7bd..cdbdf84b966 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/normalizedPaths.js
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-022/TaintedPath/normalizedPaths.js
@@ -334,3 +334,17 @@ app.get('/pseudo-normalizations', (req, res) => {
 	}
 
 });
+
+app.get('/yet-another-prefix', (req, res) => {
+	let path = pathModule.resolve(req.query.path);
+
+	fs.readFileSync(path); // NOT OK
+
+	var abs = pathModule.resolve(path); 
+
+	if (abs.indexOf(root) !== 0) {
+		fs.readFileSync(path); // NOT OK
+		return;
+    }
+	fs.readFileSync(path); // OK
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.expected b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.expected
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4f2dae3d7b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.expected
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+readFile
+| uselesscat.js:10:1:10:43 | exec("c ... ut) {}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", function(err, out) {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:12:1:14:2 | exec("c ... ut);\\n}) | fs.readFile("/proc/" + id + "/status", function(err, out) {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:16:1:16:29 | execSyn ... uinfo') | fs.readFileSync("/proc/cpuinfo") |
+| uselesscat.js:18:1:18:26 | execSyn ... path}`) | fs.readFileSync(newpath) |
+| uselesscat.js:32:1:32:34 | execSyn ... path}`) | fs.readFileSync(`foo/bar/${newpath}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:34:1:34:54 | execSyn ... utf8'}) | fs.readFileSync(`foo/bar/${newpath}`, {encoding: 'utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:51:9:51:31 | execSyn ... + file) | fs.readFileSync(file) |
+| uselesscat.js:59:1:62:2 | execFil ... ut);\\n}) | fs.readFile("pom.xml", function(error, stdout, stderr) {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:69:1:72:2 | execFil ... ut);\\n}) | fs.readFile("pom.xml", {encoding: 'utf8'}, function(error, stdout, stderr) {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:74:1:74:60 | execFil ... utf8'}) | fs.readFileSync("pom.xml", {encoding: 'utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:76:1:76:39 | execFil ... xml' ]) | fs.readFileSync("pom.xml") |
+| uselesscat.js:79:1:79:46 | execFil ...   opts) | fs.readFileSync("pom.xml", opts) |
+| uselesscat.js:82:1:82:90 | execFil ... String) | fs.readFileSync("pom.xml", anOptsFileNameThatIsTooLongToBePrintedByToString) |
+| uselesscat.js:84:1:84:115 | execFil ... ring'}) | fs.readFileSync("pom.xml", ...) |
+| uselesscat.js:86:1:86:75 | execFil ... utf8'}) | fs.readFileSync("foo/" + newPath + "bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:88:1:88:35 | execSyn ...  + foo) | fs.readFileSync("/proc/cpuinfo" + foo) |
+| uselesscat.js:90:1:90:50 | execFil ... th}` ]) | fs.readFileSync(`foo/bar/${newpath}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:94:1:94:43 | exec("c ... ut) {}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", function(err, out) {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:96:1:96:53 | exec("c ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:98:1:98:55 | exec("c ... h(out)) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => ...) |
+| uselesscat.js:121:12:121:64 | exec("c ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:127:14:127:66 | exec("c ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:136:17:138:2 | execSyn ... tf8'\\n}) | fs.readFileSync("/etc/dnsmasq.conf", ...) |
+| uselesscat.js:146:1:146:61 | shelljs ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:147:1:147:47 | shelljs ... utf8'}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:148:1:148:81 | shelljs ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:151:1:151:48 | cspawn( ... tf8' }) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", { encoding: 'utf8' }) |
+| uselesscat.js:152:1:152:82 | cspawn( ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:153:1:153:60 | cspawn( ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:154:1:154:26 | cspawn( ... /bar']) | fs.readFile("foo/bar") |
+| uselesscat.js:158:16:158:46 | cspawn. ... /bar']) | fs.readFileSync("foo/bar") |
+| uselesscat.js:159:16:159:68 | cspawn. ... tf8' }) | fs.readFileSync("foo/bar", { encoding: 'utf8' }) |
+| uselesscat.js:162:1:162:56 | execmod ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", (err, out) => {...}) |
+| uselesscat.js:163:1:163:42 | execmod ... utf8'}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar") |
+| uselesscat.js:164:1:164:76 | execmod ... (out)}) | fs.readFile("foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}, (err, out) => {...}) |
+syncCommand
+| child_process-test.js:9:5:9:22 | cp.execSync("foo") |
+| child_process-test.js:11:5:11:26 | cp.exec ... ("foo") |
+| child_process-test.js:13:5:13:23 | cp.spawnSync("foo") |
+| child_process-test.js:18:5:18:20 | cp.execSync(cmd) |
+| child_process-test.js:20:5:20:24 | cp.execFileSync(cmd) |
+| child_process-test.js:22:5:22:21 | cp.spawnSync(cmd) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:11:2:11:21 | cp.execSync(args[0]) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:12:2:12:33 | cp.exec ... rgs[0]) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:15:2:15:26 | cp.exec ... rgs[0]) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:16:2:16:38 | cp.exec ... rgs[0]) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:19:2:19:18 | cp.execSync(arg0) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:20:2:20:30 | cp.exec ... + arg0) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:26:2:26:51 | cp.exec ... tion"`) |
+| command-line-parameter-command-injection.js:27:2:27:58 | cp.exec ... tion"`) |
+| other.js:7:5:7:36 | require ... nc(cmd) |
+| other.js:9:5:9:35 | require ... nc(cmd) |
+| other.js:12:5:12:30 | require ... nc(cmd) |
+| third-party-command-injection.js:6:9:6:28 | cp.execSync(command) |
+| tst_shell-command-injection-from-environment.js:4:2:4:62 | cp.exec ... emp")]) |
+| tst_shell-command-injection-from-environment.js:5:2:5:54 | cp.exec ... temp")) |
+| uselesscat.js:16:1:16:29 | execSyn ... uinfo') |
+| uselesscat.js:18:1:18:26 | execSyn ... path}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:20:1:20:36 | execSyn ... wc -l') |
+| uselesscat.js:22:1:22:38 | execSyn ... o/bar') |
+| uselesscat.js:24:1:24:35 | execSyn ... o/bar`) |
+| uselesscat.js:28:1:28:39 | execSyn ...  1000}) |
+| uselesscat.js:32:1:32:34 | execSyn ... path}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:34:1:34:54 | execSyn ... utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:36:1:36:77 | execSyn ... utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:38:1:38:43 | execSyn ... r/baz') |
+| uselesscat.js:40:1:40:40 | execSyn ... path}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:42:1:42:47 | execSyn ... File}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:44:1:44:34 | execSyn ... ' ')}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:48:1:48:41 | execSyn ... tool}`) |
+| uselesscat.js:51:9:51:31 | execSyn ... + file) |
+| uselesscat.js:54:1:54:39 | execSyn ...  + "'") |
+| uselesscat.js:74:1:74:60 | execFil ... utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:76:1:76:39 | execFil ... xml' ]) |
+| uselesscat.js:79:1:79:46 | execFil ...   opts) |
+| uselesscat.js:82:1:82:90 | execFil ... String) |
+| uselesscat.js:84:1:84:115 | execFil ... ring'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:86:1:86:75 | execFil ... utf8'}) |
+| uselesscat.js:88:1:88:35 | execSyn ...  + foo) |
+| uselesscat.js:90:1:90:50 | execFil ... th}` ]) |
+| uselesscat.js:92:1:92:46 | execFil ... th}` ]) |
+| uselesscat.js:100:1:100:56 | execFil ... ptions) |
+| uselesscat.js:104:1:104:31 | execFil ... cat` ]) |
+| uselesscat.js:136:17:138:2 | execSyn ... tf8'\\n}) |
+| uselesscat.js:158:16:158:46 | cspawn. ... /bar']) |
+| uselesscat.js:159:16:159:68 | cspawn. ... tf8' }) |
+options
+| child_process-test.js:53:5:53:59 | cp.spaw ...  cmd])) | child_process-test.js:53:25:53:58 | ['/C',  ... , cmd]) |
+| child_process-test.js:54:5:54:50 | cp.spaw ... t(cmd)) | child_process-test.js:54:25:54:49 | ['/C',  ... at(cmd) |
+| child_process-test.js:64:3:64:21 | cp.spawn(cmd, args) | child_process-test.js:64:17:64:20 | args |
+| uselesscat.js:28:1:28:39 | execSyn ...  1000}) | uselesscat.js:28:28:28:38 | {uid: 1000} |
+| uselesscat.js:30:1:30:64 | exec('c ... t) { }) | uselesscat.js:30:26:30:38 | { cwd: './' } |
+| uselesscat.js:34:1:34:54 | execSyn ... utf8'}) | uselesscat.js:34:36:34:53 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:36:1:36:77 | execSyn ... utf8'}) | uselesscat.js:36:36:36:76 | { uid:  ... 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:69:1:72:2 | execFil ... ut);\\n}) | uselesscat.js:69:38:69:55 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:74:1:74:60 | execFil ... utf8'}) | uselesscat.js:74:42:74:59 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:79:1:79:46 | execFil ...   opts) | uselesscat.js:79:42:79:45 | opts |
+| uselesscat.js:82:1:82:90 | execFil ... String) | uselesscat.js:82:42:82:89 | anOptsF ... oString |
+| uselesscat.js:84:1:84:115 | execFil ... ring'}) | uselesscat.js:84:42:84:114 | {encodi ... tring'} |
+| uselesscat.js:86:1:86:75 | execFil ... utf8'}) | uselesscat.js:86:57:86:74 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:100:1:100:56 | execFil ... ptions) | uselesscat.js:100:42:100:55 | unknownOptions |
+| uselesscat.js:111:1:111:51 | spawn(' ... it'] }) | uselesscat.js:111:14:111:50 | { stdio ... rit'] } |
+| uselesscat.js:136:17:138:2 | execSyn ... tf8'\\n}) | uselesscat.js:136:51:138:1 | { // NO ... utf8'\\n} |
+| uselesscat.js:147:1:147:47 | shelljs ... utf8'}) | uselesscat.js:147:29:147:46 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+| uselesscat.js:151:1:151:48 | cspawn( ... tf8' }) | uselesscat.js:151:28:151:47 | { encoding: 'utf8' } |
+| uselesscat.js:156:1:156:35 | cspawn( ... tf8' }) | uselesscat.js:156:15:156:34 | { encoding: 'utf8' } |
+| uselesscat.js:159:16:159:68 | cspawn. ... tf8' }) | uselesscat.js:159:48:159:67 | { encoding: 'utf8' } |
+| uselesscat.js:164:1:164:76 | execmod ... (out)}) | uselesscat.js:164:24:164:41 | {encoding: 'utf8'} |
+#select
+| False negative | uselesscat.js:54:42:54:69 | // NOT  ... lagged] |
+| False positive | uselesscat.js:44:37:44:85 | // OK [ ... le read |
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a70f53016bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/UselessUseOfCat.ql
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import javascript
+import semmle.javascript.security.UselessUseOfCat
+
+from LineComment comment, string msg
+where
+  comment.getFile().getAbsolutePath().regexpMatch(".*/uselesscat.js") and
+  (
+    comment.getText().regexpMatch(".*NOT OK.*") and
+    not any(UselessCat cat).asExpr().getLocation().getStartLine() =
+      comment.getLocation().getStartLine() and
+    msg = "False negative"
+    or
+    comment.getText().regexpMatch(".* OK.*") and
+    not comment.getText().regexpMatch(".*NOT OK.*") and
+    any(UselessCat cat).asExpr().getLocation().getStartLine() = comment.getLocation().getStartLine() and
+    msg = "False positive"
+  )
+select msg, comment
+
+query string readFile(UselessCat cat) { result = PrettyPrintCatCall::createReadFileCall(cat) }
+
+query SystemCommandExecution syncCommand() {
+  result.isSync()	
+}
+
+query DataFlow::Node options(SystemCommandExecution sys) {
+  result = sys.getOptionsArg()
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/uselesscat.js b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/uselesscat.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ace4784b380
--- /dev/null
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-078/uselesscat.js
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+var express = require('express');
+var child_process = require('child_process');
+var execSync = child_process.execSync;
+var exec = child_process.exec;
+var spawn = child_process.spawn;
+var spawnSync = child_process.spawnSync;
+var fs = require('fs');
+var app = express();
+
+exec("cat foo/bar", function (err, out) {}); // NOT OK
+
+exec("cat /proc/" + id + "/status", function (err, out) { // NOT OK
+	console.log(out);
+});
+
+execSync('cat /proc/cpuinfo').toString(); // NOT OK.
+
+execSync(`cat ${newpath}`) // NOT OK
+
+execSync('cat package.json | wc -l'); // OK - pipes!
+
+execSync('cat /proc/cpuinfo /foo/bar').toString(); // OK multiple files.
+
+execSync(`cat ${newpath} /foo/bar`).toString(); // OK multiple files.
+
+exec(`cat ${newpath} | grep foo`, function (err, out) { }) // OK - pipes
+
+execSync(`cat ${newpath}`, {uid: 1000}) // OK - non trivial options
+
+exec('cat *.js | wc -l', { cwd: './' }, function (err, out) { }); // OK - wildcard and pipes
+
+execSync(`cat foo/bar/${newpath}`); // NOT OK ("encoding" is used EXACTLY the same way in fs.readFileSync)
+
+execSync(`cat foo/bar/${newpath}`, {encoding: 'utf8'}); // NOT OK ("encoding" is used EXACTLY the same way in fs.readFileSync)
+
+execSync("/bin/cat /proc/cpuinfo", { uid: 1000, gid: 1000, encoding: 'utf8'}); // OK (fs.readFileSync cannot emulate uid / gid))
+
+execSync('cat /proc/cpuinfo > foo/bar/baz').toString(); // OK.
+
+execSync(`cat ${newpath} > ${destpath}`).toString(); // OK.
+
+execSync(`cat ${files.join(' ')} > ${outFile}`); // OK
+
+execSync(`cat ${files.join(' ')}`); // OK [but flagged] - not just a simple file read
+
+exec("cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep name"); // OK - pipes
+
+execSync(`cat ${newpath} | ${othertool}`); // OK - pipes
+
+function cat(file) {
+	return execSync('cat ' + file).toString(); // NOT OK
+}
+
+execSync("sh -c 'cat " + newpath + "'"); // NOT OK. [but not flagged]
+
+var execFile = child_process.execFile;
+var execFileSync = child_process.execFileSync;
+
+execFile('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ], function(error, stdout, stderr ) { // NOT OK
+  // Not using stderr
+  console.log(stdout);
+});
+
+execFile('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ], function(error, stdout, stderr ) { // OK. - stderr is used.
+  console.log(stderr); 
+});
+
+
+execFile('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  {encoding: 'utf8'}, function(error, stdout, stderr ) { // NOT OK
+  // Not using stderr
+  console.log(stdout);
+});
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  {encoding: 'utf8'}); // NOT OK
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ]);  // NOT OK
+
+var opts = {encoding: 'utf8'};
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  opts); // NOT OK
+
+var anOptsFileNameThatIsTooLongToBePrintedByToString = {encoding: 'utf8'};
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  anOptsFileNameThatIsTooLongToBePrintedByToString); // NOT OK
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  {encoding: 'someEncodingValueThatIsCompletelyBogusAndTooLongForToString'}); // NOT OK
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ "foo/" + newPath + "bar" ],  {encoding: 'utf8'}); // NOT OK
+
+execSync('cat /proc/cpuinfo' + foo).toString(); // NOT OK.
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ `foo/bar/${newpath}` ]); // NOT OK
+
+execFileSync('node', [ `foo/bar/${newpath}` ]); // OK - not a call to cat
+
+exec("cat foo/bar", function (err, out) {}); // NOT OK
+
+exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+
+exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => doSomethingWith(out)); // NOT OK
+
+execFileSync('/bin/cat', [ 'pom.xml' ],  unknownOptions); // OK - unknown options.
+
+exec("node foo/bar", (err, out) => doSomethingWith(out)); // OK - Not a call to cat
+
+execFileSync('node', [ `cat` ]); // OK - not a call to cat
+
+exec("cat foo/bar&", function (err, out) {}); // OK - contains &
+exec("cat foo/bar,", function (err, out) {}); // OK - contains ,
+exec("cat foo/bar$", function (err, out) {}); // OK - contains $
+exec("cat foo/bar`", function (err, out) {}); // OK - contains `
+
+spawn('cat', { stdio: ['pipe', stdin, 'inherit'] }); // OK - Non trivial use. (But weird API use.)
+
+(function () {
+  const cat = spawn('cat', [filename]); // OK - non trivial use.
+  cat.stdout.on('data', (data) => {
+    res.write(data);
+  });
+  cat.stdout.on('end', () => res.end());
+})();
+
+var dead = exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+
+var notDead = exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // OK
+console.log(notDead);
+
+(function () {
+  var dead = exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+
+  someCall(
+	exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}) // OK - non-trivial use of returned proccess.
+  );
+
+  return exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // OK - non-trivial use of returned proccess.
+})();
+
+const stdout2 = execSync('cat /etc/dnsmasq.conf', { // NOT OK.
+  encoding: 'utf8'
+});
+
+exec('/bin/cat', function (e, s) {});  // OK
+
+spawn("cat") // OK  
+
+
+var shelljs = require("shelljs");
+shelljs.exec("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+shelljs.exec("cat foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}); // NOT OK
+shelljs.exec("cat foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}, (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+
+let cspawn = require('cross-spawn');
+cspawn('cat', ['foo/bar'], { encoding: 'utf8' }); // NOT OK
+cspawn('cat', ['foo/bar'], { encoding: 'utf8' }, (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+cspawn('cat', ['foo/bar'], (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+cspawn('cat', ['foo/bar']); // NOT OK
+cspawn('cat', (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // OK
+cspawn('cat', { encoding: 'utf8' }); // OK
+ 
+let myResult = cspawn.sync('cat', ['foo/bar']); // NOT OK
+let myResult = cspawn.sync('cat', ['foo/bar'], { encoding: 'utf8' }); // NOT OK
+
+var execmod = require('exec');
+execmod("cat foo/bar", (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+execmod("cat foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}); // NOT OK
+execmod("cat foo/bar", {encoding: 'utf8'}, (err, out) => {console.log(out)}); // NOT OK
+
+  
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-079/XssWithAdditionalSources.ql b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-079/XssWithAdditionalSources.ql
index 543c2537253..96dee32082b 100644
--- a/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-079/XssWithAdditionalSources.ql
+++ b/javascript/ql/test/query-tests/Security/CWE-079/XssWithAdditionalSources.ql
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ import semmle.javascript.security.dataflow.DomBasedXss::DomBasedXss
 import DataFlow::PathGraph
 import semmle.javascript.heuristics.AdditionalSources
 
-
 from Configuration cfg, DataFlow::PathNode source, DataFlow::PathNode sink
 where cfg.hasFlowPath(source, sink) and source.getNode() instanceof HeuristicSource
 select sink.getNode(), source, sink,
diff --git a/python/ql/src/Expressions/UseofApply.ql b/python/ql/src/Expressions/UseofApply.ql
index 8f913e6980d..7a0d72b43cf 100644
--- a/python/ql/src/Expressions/UseofApply.ql
+++ b/python/ql/src/Expressions/UseofApply.ql
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
  */
 
 import python
+private import semmle.python.types.Builtins
 
 from CallNode call, ControlFlowNode func
-where
-major_version() = 2 and call.getFunction() = func and func.refersTo(Object::builtin("apply"))
+where major_version() = 2 and call.getFunction() = func and func.pointsTo(Value::named("apply"))
 select call, "Call to the obsolete builtin function 'apply'."
diff --git a/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.expected b/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.expected
index 082296ef25c..aac8fbcda88 100644
--- a/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.expected
+++ b/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.expected
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
+| UseofApply.py:19:3:19:17 | ControlFlowNode for apply() | Call to the obsolete builtin function 'apply'. |
 | expressions_test.py:3:5:3:21 | ControlFlowNode for apply() | Call to the obsolete builtin function 'apply'. |
diff --git a/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.py b/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9109636f99e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/2/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#### UseofApply.ql
+
+# Use of the builtin function `apply` is generally considered bad now that the
+# ability to destructure lists of arguments is possible, but we should not flag
+# cases where the function is merely named `apply` rather than being the actual
+# builtin `apply` function.
+
+def useofapply():
+
+  def foo():
+    pass
+
+
+
+  # Positive Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the builtin function and so SHOULD be
+  # caught by the query.
+  apply(foo, [1])
+
+
+
+  # Negative Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the locally defined function inside of
+  # `local`, and so SHOULD NOT be caught by the query.
+  def local():
+    def apply(f):
+      pass
+    apply(foo)([1])
diff --git a/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.expected b/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.expected
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.py b/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9109636f99e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#### UseofApply.ql
+
+# Use of the builtin function `apply` is generally considered bad now that the
+# ability to destructure lists of arguments is possible, but we should not flag
+# cases where the function is merely named `apply` rather than being the actual
+# builtin `apply` function.
+
+def useofapply():
+
+  def foo():
+    pass
+
+
+
+  # Positive Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the builtin function and so SHOULD be
+  # caught by the query.
+  apply(foo, [1])
+
+
+
+  # Negative Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the locally defined function inside of
+  # `local`, and so SHOULD NOT be caught by the query.
+  def local():
+    def apply(f):
+      pass
+    apply(foo)([1])
diff --git a/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.qlref b/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.qlref
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..abf684e3918
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/ql/test/3/query-tests/Expressions/UseofApply/UseofApply.qlref
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Expressions/UseofApply.ql
diff --git a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Expressions/general/expressions_test.py b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Expressions/general/expressions_test.py
index 1d802f1bfd6..5e07b58e204 100644
--- a/python/ql/test/query-tests/Expressions/general/expressions_test.py
+++ b/python/ql/test/query-tests/Expressions/general/expressions_test.py
@@ -242,3 +242,40 @@ from types import MappingProxyType
 
 def mpt_arg(d=MappingProxyType({})):
     return 1 in d
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+#### UseofApply.ql
+
+# Use of the builtin function `apply` is generally considered bad now that the
+# ability to destructure lists of arguments is possible, but we should not flag
+# cases where the function is merely named `apply` rather than being the actual
+# builtin `apply` function.
+
+def useofapply():
+  
+  def foo():
+    pass
+
+
+
+  # Positive Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the builtin function and so SHOULD be
+  # caught by the query.
+  apply(foo, [1])
+
+
+
+  # Negative Cases
+
+  # This use of `apply` is a reference to the locally defined function inside of
+  # `local`, and so SHOULD NOT be caught by the query.  
+  def local():
+    def apply(f):
+      pass
+    apply(foo)([1])