CVE-2019-10808 in utilitify
Summary
by MITRE
utilitify prior to 1.0.3 allows modification of object properties. The merge method could be tricked into adding or modifying properties of the Object.prototype.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10808 affects the utilitify library version prior to 1.0.3 and represents a critical security flaw in how object property merging is handled within the library. This issue stems from improper handling of object prototype properties during merge operations, creating a potential attack vector that could allow malicious actors to manipulate core JavaScript object behaviors. The vulnerability specifically targets the merge method implementation which fails to properly sanitize or validate property names during the merging process, leading to unintended modifications of Object.prototype.
The technical flaw manifests when the merge method processes objects containing properties that could interfere with the prototype chain. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes property names designed to modify Object.prototype directly. This occurs because the library does not implement proper safeguards to prevent prototype pollution during merge operations, allowing attackers to inject properties that will persist across all objects inheriting from Object.prototype. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-471 as "Modification of Externally-Controlled Pointer or Reference", which specifically addresses situations where external input can be used to modify object references or prototypes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can lead to severe security consequences including prototype poisoning attacks that can affect the entire application runtime. When Object.prototype is modified, all objects in the JavaScript environment inherit these modifications, potentially leading to unexpected behavior, application crashes, or even remote code execution in certain contexts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through user input or external data sources that are processed through the merge function, making it a significant concern for applications that utilize external data processing or configuration management.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" as it enables attackers to manipulate JavaScript runtime behavior through prototype pollution. The attack surface is particularly wide given that many applications rely on utility libraries for object manipulation, making this a common vector for exploitation in web applications and server-side environments. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize immediate remediation through library updates, while also implementing input validation and sanitization measures to prevent exploitation. The fix typically involves updating to utilitify version 1.0.3 or later, which implements proper prototype protection mechanisms during merge operations, ensuring that property names are validated and that prototype pollution cannot occur through normal usage patterns.