CVE-2022-37264 in stealjs
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2022
Prototype pollution vulnerability in stealjs steal 2.2.4 via the optionName variable in main.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2022
The CVE-2022-37264 vulnerability represents a prototype pollution flaw affecting the stealjs steal library version 2.2.4, specifically within the main.js file where the optionName variable is manipulated. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that influences the prototype of an object, allowing attackers to inject malicious properties into the Object prototype. The issue manifests when the application processes configuration options without adequate safeguards against prototype manipulation, creating a vector for potential exploitation.
Prototype pollution vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-471 category, which specifically addresses the modification of the prototype of a built-in object, leading to unexpected behavior in applications that rely on object properties and methods. The flaw enables attackers to pollute the prototype chain by injecting properties that may be accessed by subsequent code execution, potentially causing the application to behave unpredictably or execute unintended operations. In the context of stealjs, which is a module loader for javascript applications, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of the module loading process and introduce security risks during application initialization.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37264 extends beyond simple data corruption, as prototype pollution can enable more sophisticated attacks including denial of service conditions, code execution, or privilege escalation depending on how the polluted prototype properties are subsequently utilized. When the optionName variable in main.js is influenced by untrusted input, attackers can manipulate the prototype of objects used by the steal library, potentially causing applications to execute malicious code or behave in unexpected ways. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where stealjs is used to load modules dynamically, as it could allow attackers to inject malicious code into the module loading pipeline.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37264 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from influencing object prototype properties. Developers should employ defensive programming practices such as using Object.freeze() or Object.preventExtensions() on objects that should not be modified, and implementing proper validation of configuration options before they are processed. The solution involves ensuring that any user-supplied input affecting the optionName variable is properly validated and sanitized to prevent prototype pollution. Additionally, organizations should consider updating to patched versions of stealjs where available, and implement runtime protections such as prototype validation checks that can detect and prevent malicious prototype modifications. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1211 for exploitation for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.