CVE-2021-46337 in JerryScript
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2022
There is an Assertion 'page_p != NULL' failed at /parser/js/js-parser-mem.c(parser_list_get) in JerryScript 3.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-46337 represents a critical assertion failure within the JerryScript JavaScript engine version 3.0.0, specifically occurring in the js-parser-mem.c file at the parser_list_get function. This assertion failure manifests as an assertion 'page_p != NULL' that triggers during JavaScript parsing operations, indicating a potential memory management or pointer validation issue within the engine's parser component. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the JavaScript parser, which fails to properly validate memory page pointers before attempting operations on them.
This flaw exists within the context of embedded JavaScript engines used in IoT devices, web browsers, and other applications requiring lightweight scripting capabilities. The assertion failure typically occurs when the parser attempts to access memory pages that have not been properly allocated or initialized, creating a condition where the engine crashes or behaves unpredictably. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application crashes as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks leveraging memory corruption techniques. The specific location at parser_list_get suggests that the issue is related to how the parser manages lists of parsed JavaScript elements, particularly when dealing with memory allocation patterns during parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability can be severe as it allows for potential denial of service conditions where legitimate JavaScript execution may be disrupted or terminated abruptly. In environments where JerryScript is used for critical embedded systems or web applications, such assertion failures could lead to service interruptions or system instability. From a security perspective, this type of assertion failure may serve as a precursor to more serious vulnerabilities including memory corruption that could potentially be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611 Information Exposure Through Heap Data and CWE-248 Uncaught Exception categories, representing weaknesses in error handling and memory management within the JavaScript engine's parsing infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the JerryScript engine to version 3.1.0 or later where the assertion failure has been addressed through improved memory validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all JavaScript content processed by the engine, particularly focusing on malformed or maliciously crafted scripts that could trigger the assertion failure. System administrators should consider implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in JavaScript parsing functionality. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices emphasizing proper pointer validation and memory management, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript and T1555.003 for credentials from password storage components, to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.