CVE-2018-16472 in cached-path-relative
Summary
by MITRE
A prototype pollution attack in cached-path-relative versions <=1.0.1 allows an attacker to inject properties on Object.prototype which are then inherited by all the JS objects through the prototype chain causing a DoS attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical prototype pollution flaw affecting cached-path-relative versions up to 1.0.1, where attackers can manipulate object prototypes to inject malicious properties that propagate throughout the entire JavaScript object hierarchy. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of path resolution within the cached-path-relative library, allowing adversaries to craft specially formatted input that gets processed and stored in the prototype chain. When the library processes these inputs, it inadvertently modifies Object.prototype directly, creating persistent pollution that affects all subsequent object instantiations and operations within the application's runtime environment.
The technical exploitation occurs through manipulation of path resolution logic where the library fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into prototype-based object structures. This allows attackers to inject properties that become part of the Object.prototype chain, which means every JavaScript object in the application inherits these malicious properties. The vulnerability operates at the core level of JavaScript's prototype inheritance mechanism, making it particularly dangerous because it affects the fundamental object model rather than just specific application components. The attack vector typically involves sending crafted input that gets processed through the library's path resolution functions, leading to prototype pollution that can be leveraged for various malicious purposes including denial of service, code injection, and data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as prototype pollution can lead to cascading failures throughout the application's functionality. When Object.prototype is polluted, it can cause unpredictable behavior in JavaScript applications that rely on standard object methods and properties, leading to application crashes, data corruption, and service disruption. The vulnerability can enable attackers to perform denial of service attacks by corrupting the prototype chain in ways that break core application functionality, while also potentially allowing for more sophisticated attacks such as prototype pollution-based code execution in certain contexts. The widespread use of path resolution libraries in web applications means that this vulnerability can affect numerous applications and frameworks that depend on cached-path-relative for handling file paths or URL resolution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through library updates to versions that properly sanitize input and prevent prototype pollution. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malformed path inputs from reaching the vulnerable library functions. The fix typically involves updating to cached-path-relative version 1.0.2 or later, which includes proper prototype chain isolation and input validation mechanisms. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify all instances where cached-path-relative or similar libraries are used, and implement runtime protections such as prototype pollution detection mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing strict Content Security Policies and input filtering at multiple layers of their application architecture to prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which addresses the injection of data into the prototype chain, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security measures that address both input validation and prototype chain integrity.