CVE-2020-7723 in promisehelpers Package
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of package promisehelpers are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the insert function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7723 affects the promisehelpers npm package, which is widely used in node.js applications for handling asynchronous operations and promise management. This particular vulnerability stems from a prototype pollution flaw within the insert function of the package, making all versions susceptible to exploitation. Prototype pollution represents a critical class of vulnerabilities that can lead to severe security implications when attackers manipulate the prototype of built-in JavaScript objects. The issue manifests when the insert function fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into object prototypes, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary properties into the prototype chain of objects.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to pollute the prototype of objects by injecting malicious data through the insert function, potentially enabling them to modify or extend the behavior of core JavaScript objects. When the promisehelpers package processes user input or external data through the vulnerable insert function, it does not adequately validate the structure or content of the data being inserted, leading to unintended modifications of object prototypes. This flaw can be exploited in scenarios where the package handles untrusted input, such as API responses, user-provided data, or configuration parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the prototype chain and potentially execute arbitrary code or alter application behavior. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of "Modification of Object Prototype Attributes" and is categorized under the broader class of prototype pollution vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7723 extends beyond simple data corruption, as prototype pollution can lead to various security consequences including remote code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation depending on how the vulnerable application utilizes the affected package. Applications that rely on promisehelpers for promise handling and asynchronous operations become vulnerable to attacks that can compromise the entire application stack. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in attackers gaining unauthorized access to system resources or manipulating application logic through prototype manipulation. Additionally, the cascading effects of prototype pollution can affect other parts of the application that depend on the polluted prototypes, potentially leading to widespread system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications where user input is processed through promisehelpers functions, as it provides a vector for attackers to manipulate core JavaScript objects and potentially execute malicious code within the application context.
Organizations using the promisehelpers package should immediately update to the latest version that contains patches for the prototype pollution vulnerability, as the affected versions present significant security risks. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures before processing any data through the insert function, along with monitoring for suspicious prototype modifications. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential prototype pollution attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper object validation in JavaScript applications and highlights the need for developers to follow secure coding practices when handling object manipulation and prototype operations. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the promisehelpers package within their application ecosystems and ensure comprehensive patching across all affected systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical nature of prototype pollution in modern web applications and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date dependencies to prevent exploitation through well-known security flaws.