CVE-2022-22901 in JerryScript
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2022
There is an Assertion in 'context_p->next_scanner_info_p->type == SCANNER_TYPE_FUNCTION' failed at parser_parse_function_arguments in /js/js-parser.c of JerryScript commit a6ab5e9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22901 represents a critical assertion failure within the JerryScript JavaScript engine parser component. This issue manifests as a failed assertion condition specifically at the parser_parse_function_arguments function in the js-parser.c file, where the code expects context_p->next_scanner_info_p->type to equal SCANNER_TYPE_FUNCTION but encounters a different value during execution. The assertion failure occurs during JavaScript parsing operations, particularly when processing function arguments within the JerryScript engine implementation. This type of assertion failure typically indicates a logic error or unexpected state condition that the parser was not designed to handle gracefully.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the JavaScript parser's function argument processing logic. When the parser encounters certain malformed or unexpected JavaScript code structures, it fails to properly validate the scanner information type before proceeding with function argument parsing operations. The assertion condition serves as a defensive mechanism to ensure that the parser operates on expected data types, but the failure suggests that the parser can be tricked into processing data that violates this assumption. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of assertion failure or assertion violation, which is classified as CWE-617 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing a condition that is always false but is checked and causes program termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple program termination, as it can potentially lead to denial of service conditions or more severe security implications depending on the execution context. When the assertion fails, the JerryScript engine may crash or terminate unexpectedly, causing applications that rely on this JavaScript engine to become unstable or unresponsive. In embedded systems or IoT devices where JerryScript is commonly deployed, such failures can result in complete system outages or service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where JavaScript parsing is frequently performed or where the engine processes untrusted input from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22901 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming approaches. The primary solution involves applying the official fix provided by the JerryScript maintainers, which typically includes proper input validation and error handling to prevent the assertion from failing. Organizations should also implement robust input sanitization measures to prevent malformed JavaScript code from reaching the parser component. Additionally, deploying runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they cause system instability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in parser implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access or cause denial of service conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms to isolate JavaScript execution environments and limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities on overall system security.