CVE-2020-7643 in paypal-adaptive
Summary
by MITRE
paypal-adaptive through 0.4.2 manipulation of JavaScript objects resulting in Prototype Pollution. The PayPal function could be tricked into adding or modifying properties of Object.prototype using a __proto__ payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7643 affects the paypal-adaptive library version 0.4.2 and earlier, representing a critical prototype pollution issue that stems from improper handling of JavaScript object manipulation. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the prototype of JavaScript objects through malicious _proto_ payloads, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation within applications that rely on this library. The vulnerability resides in the library's function processing logic where input parameters are not properly sanitized before being used to modify object properties, creating a pathway for prototype pollution attacks that can compromise the entire application runtime environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent characteristics of JavaScript's prototype chain mechanism, specifically targeting the _proto_ property that allows direct manipulation of an object's prototype. When the paypal-adaptive library processes user-supplied data containing malicious _proto_ payloads, it inadvertently executes code that modifies the Object.prototype object itself. This occurs because the library fails to validate or sanitize input parameters before using them to set object properties, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that alter the prototype chain. The flaw is classified under CWE-471 as "Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data" and represents a classic prototype pollution vulnerability that has been documented in numerous security advisories across the industry.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as prototype pollution can lead to severe security consequences including remote code execution, privilege escalation, and denial of service conditions. Applications using vulnerable versions of paypal-adaptive become susceptible to attacks where malicious actors can inject properties into Object.prototype, affecting all objects that inherit from it. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple components within the application, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls or manipulate application behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the library is used to process untrusted input from users or external systems, as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web forms, API endpoints, or even file uploads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7643 should prioritize immediate version upgrades to paypal-adaptive 0.4.3 or later, which contain patches specifically addressing the prototype pollution vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable library functions, particularly focusing on sanitizing any data that might be used to set object properties. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections such as prototype pollution detection mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious property modifications within the application's object hierarchy. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1211 for privilege escalation through code manipulation, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing security controls that must account for prototype pollution as a potential attack surface. Additionally, implementing proper code review processes and automated security testing that includes prototype pollution detection can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into future versions of the library or related applications.