CVE-2022-25354 in set-in
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2022
The package set-in before 2.0.3 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the setIn method, as it allows an attacker to merge object prototypes into it. **Note:** This vulnerability derives from an incomplete fix of [CVE-2020-28273](https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-SETIN-1048049)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25354 affects the set-in package version 2.0.2 and earlier, representing a prototype pollution flaw that emerges from the setIn method implementation. This security weakness enables attackers to manipulate object prototypes by merging them into existing objects, potentially leading to unexpected behavior and security consequences. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete remediation of CVE-2020-28273, indicating that previous attempts to address prototype pollution issues were insufficient. Prototype pollution vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is used to set properties on objects, particularly when dealing with nested object structures.
The technical flaw manifests through the setIn method's inability to properly isolate prototype properties from user-controlled data. When attackers provide malicious input containing prototype-polluting keys such as _proto_ or constructor, the method processes these inputs without adequate safeguards, allowing prototype properties to be injected into the target object. This behavior violates the fundamental principle of object isolation and can lead to various security implications. The vulnerability operates at the core level of object manipulation within JavaScript applications, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any application that relies on prototype-based inheritance patterns. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-471, which addresses the vulnerability of objects being modified in ways that affect their prototype chain, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1588.002 related to obtaining code signing certificates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or manipulate application behavior in unintended ways. When prototype pollution occurs in critical application components, it can lead to remote code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation depending on the application context. The vulnerability affects applications that utilize the set-in package for configuration management, data processing, or object manipulation tasks where user input is involved. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that target prototype properties, potentially compromising the entire application stack. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a systemic issue in the package's design approach to handling object properties and prototype chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25354 require immediate version updates to set-in package version 2.0.3 or later, which contains the proper fix for prototype pollution. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for any user-controllable data that might be processed through object manipulation methods. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on prototype handling and object property assignment patterns. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as prototype lockdown mechanisms and using security tools that can detect prototype pollution patterns can provide additional defense layers. The fix should ensure that prototype-polluting keys are properly rejected or sanitized before object processing occurs, preventing the merging of prototype properties with user-controlled data. This vulnerability underscores the importance of thorough testing and validation of security patches, particularly when addressing complex prototype-related issues in JavaScript environments.