CVE-2020-28282 in getobject
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2020
Prototype pollution vulnerability in 'getobject' version 0.1.0 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service and may lead to remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The prototype pollution vulnerability in getobject version 0.1.0 represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of JavaScript object prototypes within Node.js applications. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object property assignment during deep cloning operations, allowing attackers to manipulate the Object.prototype directly through malicious input. The flaw is classified under CWE-471 as "Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data" and falls within the broader category of prototype pollution attacks that have become increasingly prevalent in modern web applications. When an attacker supplies crafted input containing properties that match existing prototype methods or attributes, the application's object cloning mechanism inadvertently modifies the global prototype chain, creating a persistent vector for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the getobject library processes user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization of property names. During deep object traversal and copying operations, if the library does not distinguish between enumerable and non-enumerable properties or fails to check for prototype pollution indicators, it will blindly assign attacker-controlled values to prototype properties. This behavior enables attackers to inject malicious code into the prototype chain, which can then be executed during subsequent operations that rely on prototype inheritance. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in server-side JavaScript environments where applications may perform deep cloning of configuration objects or user data structures, making the attack surface extensive across various application components.
The operational impact of this prototype pollution vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable full remote code execution within affected applications. When applications utilize vulnerable versions of getobject for processing external data inputs such as API requests, configuration files, or user uploads, attackers can escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The attack chain typically begins with a denial of service through prototype manipulation, but can progress to more sophisticated exploitation techniques including code injection, privilege escalation, and ultimately complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1211 for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation", making it a significant threat vector in modern cyber attack frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for this prototype pollution vulnerability require immediate remediation through version updates to getobject 0.2.0 or later, which contain proper prototype validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation procedures that filter out potentially malicious property names during object processing operations, particularly those containing special characters or reserved keywords. The implementation of prototype pollution detection tools and runtime monitoring systems can help identify suspicious object manipulation patterns before they can be exploited. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices such as using Object.freeze() on critical objects, implementing custom deep cloning functions with prototype protection, and conducting regular security audits of third-party dependencies to ensure no similar vulnerabilities exist in the application stack. Security teams must also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle prototype pollution attacks, including network monitoring for suspicious data patterns and automated patch deployment systems to rapidly address affected components.