CVE-2017-5954 in serialize-to-js Package
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the serialize-to-js package 0.5.0 for Node.js. Untrusted data passed into the deserialize() function can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution by passing a JavaScript Object with an Immediately Invoked Function Expression (IIFE).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5954 resides within the serialize-to-js package version 0.5.0 for Node.js, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper input validation. This issue specifically affects the deserialize() function which processes untrusted data without adequate sanitization measures, creating a dangerous attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent capabilities of JavaScript's object serialization and deserialization mechanisms. When untrusted data enters the deserialize() function, it can contain JavaScript objects that include Immediately Invoked Function Expressions IIFEs which execute automatically upon object evaluation. This behavior allows attackers to inject malicious code that executes within the Node.js runtime environment, bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially gaining full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5954 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited across various attack vectors including web applications, API endpoints, and any system that relies on the serialize-to-js package for processing user-supplied data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which addresses Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, and demonstrates how deserialization flaws can lead to remote code execution through the manipulation of object properties during the deserialization process. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where user input is directly processed through the deserialize function without proper validation or sanitization.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter JavaScript, where attackers can leverage the IIFE execution pattern to run arbitrary commands. The attack surface includes web applications that accept serialized data from users, server-side applications processing JSON payloads, and any Node.js service utilizing the vulnerable package. Organizations using this package in production environments face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic knowledge of JavaScript and serialization concepts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5954 should prioritize immediate package updates to versions that address the deserialization vulnerability, while also implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should conduct thorough code reviews to identify all instances where the serialize-to-js package is utilized, particularly focusing on functions that process external data sources. Additional protective measures include implementing proper data validation at multiple layers, utilizing sandboxed execution environments for untrusted data processing, and deploying runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous execution patterns indicative of IIFE exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure deserialization practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly when handling user-provided data in server-side environments.