CVE-2016-10546 in PouchDB
Summary
by MITRE
An arbitrary code injection vector was found in PouchDB 6.0.4 and lesser via the map/reduce functions used in PouchDB temporary views and design documents. The code execution engine for this branch is not properly sandboxed and may be used to run arbitrary JavaScript as well as system commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10546 represents a critical security flaw in PouchDB versions 6.0.4 and earlier, where improper sandboxing of the map/reduce execution engine creates an arbitrary code injection vector. This vulnerability specifically affects the temporary views and design documents functionality within PouchDB, which are commonly used for data indexing and querying in NoSQL database environments. The flaw stems from insufficient isolation between user-provided JavaScript code and the underlying execution environment, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the application running PouchDB.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way PouchDB processes map/reduce functions within its view system. When developers create temporary views or design documents containing map functions, these functions are executed within the same JavaScript context as the database engine itself. The lack of proper sandboxing means that any JavaScript code within these functions can potentially access system resources and execute commands that should be restricted. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in input validation and code execution isolation mechanisms. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited. An attacker who gains the ability to inject code into PouchDB's map/reduce functions can execute arbitrary JavaScript code, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying database contents, or even executing system commands on the host machine. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where PouchDB is used for client-side data storage, as it can be exploited through user input that gets processed through the view system. The attack surface extends beyond simple data manipulation to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within networked environments where PouchDB is deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10546 should focus on immediate version upgrades to PouchDB 6.0.5 or later, which contain the necessary sandboxing improvements to prevent code injection. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-provided JavaScript code that will be executed within the PouchDB environment. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to PouchDB instances, implementation of content security policies, and regular security audits of database view definitions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper code sandboxing and input validation in database systems, particularly in distributed environments where client-side databases like PouchDB are commonly deployed. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful compromises.