CVE-2022-37617 in browserify-shim
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2022
Prototype pollution vulnerability in function resolveShims in resolve-shims.js in thlorenz browserify-shim 3.8.15 via the k variable in resolve-shims.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37617 represents a prototype pollution issue within the browserify-shim package version 3.8.15, specifically affecting the resolveShims function in the resolve-shims.js file. This type of vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the prototype of an object, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or unexpected behavior in applications that rely on this package. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects a core dependency used in browserify build processes, which are widely adopted in frontend development workflows for bundling JavaScript applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the k variable within the resolveShims function, where user-controllable input can be used to pollute the Object.prototype. This occurs when the application processes configuration data or user inputs without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious actors to inject properties into the prototype chain. The vulnerability manifests when the resolve-shims.js module processes data structures that contain keys named k, which then get merged into the prototype object without proper validation. This allows attackers to modify the behavior of all objects that inherit from Object.prototype, potentially enabling attacks such as property injection, method override, or even remote code execution in certain contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous development environments that utilize browserify-shim for bundling JavaScript applications. Since browserify-shim is commonly integrated into build pipelines for web applications, any application using this version could be susceptible to prototype pollution attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited during the build process when configuration files or input data are processed, potentially compromising the integrity of the final bundled application. Attackers could leverage this to inject malicious properties into the prototype chain, which might then be executed during runtime or used to manipulate application behavior in unexpected ways. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the widespread adoption of browserify and related build tools in the JavaScript ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37617 should focus on immediate version updates to browserify-shim 3.8.16 or later, which contain patches addressing the prototype pollution vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough dependency audits to identify all applications using affected versions and ensure proper version pinning in package.json files. The implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within applications that process user data or configuration files can provide additional defense-in-depth. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect vulnerable dependencies during the software development lifecycle. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which specifically addresses the issue of adding to a data structure in a way that modifies a prototype, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1550.001 for hijacking application execution flow through library manipulation. Regular security updates and dependency monitoring are crucial to prevent exploitation of similar prototype pollution vulnerabilities in other components of the software supply chain.