CVE-2022-25862 in sds
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2022
This affects the package sds from 0.0.0. The library could be tricked into adding or modifying properties of the Object.prototype by abusing the set function located in js/set.js. **Note:** This vulnerability derives from an incomplete fix to [CVE-2020-7618](https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-SDS-564123)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25862 affects the sds JavaScript library version 0.0.0 and represents a prototype pollution flaw that enables attackers to manipulate Object.prototype properties through the set function in js/set.js. This issue stems from an incomplete remediation of a previously discovered vulnerability CVE-2020-7618, demonstrating how inadequate fixes can leave systems exposed to continued exploitation. The root cause lies in the library's failure to properly validate input parameters when processing object property assignments, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary properties into the prototype chain.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the set function in js/set.js processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or validation checks. Attackers can craft malicious input that gets processed through this function, allowing them to add or modify properties on Object.prototype directly. This prototype pollution enables attackers to manipulate the behavior of all objects that inherit from Object.prototype, potentially leading to various downstream security implications including denial of service, data manipulation, or even code execution in certain contexts. The vulnerability specifically targets the JavaScript runtime environment where prototype-based inheritance is utilized, making it particularly dangerous in web applications and server-side environments that rely heavily on object manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-25862 extends beyond simple property manipulation as it can enable attackers to disrupt normal application behavior and potentially escalate privileges. When Object.prototype is polluted, any object that inherits from it becomes vulnerable to the injected properties, which can cause unexpected behavior in application logic, bypass authentication mechanisms, or interfere with critical application functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various input vectors including API endpoints, user inputs, or configuration files that are processed by the sds library. This makes it difficult to contain and requires comprehensive patching across all affected systems and applications that utilize the vulnerable library version.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to a patched version of the sds library that properly addresses the prototype pollution vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive code review to identify all potential usage points of the vulnerable library and implementation of input validation measures. Security teams should also consider deploying runtime protections such as prototype pollution detection mechanisms and monitoring for anomalous object property modifications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of adding or modifying a property of an object that is used as a prototype, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through code manipulation. Regular dependency audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, as the incomplete fix pattern suggests potential gaps in the security review process for this library.