CVE-2023-26102 in rangy
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2023
All versions of the package rangy are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution when using the extend() function in file rangy-core.js.The function uses recursive merge which can lead an attacker to modify properties of the Object.prototype
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26102 affects the rangy JavaScript library, specifically targeting versions prior to the patched release. This issue resides within the rangy-core.js file where the extend() function implements a recursive merge mechanism. The flaw represents a classic prototype pollution vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the Object.prototype properties through improper handling of object merging operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core functionality of the library that many applications depend upon for rich text editing capabilities and DOM manipulation.
The technical root cause stems from the recursive merge implementation in the extend() function which does not properly validate or sanitize property names during the object merging process. When an attacker can inject malicious property names containing special characters like _proto_ or constructor, these properties get merged into the prototype chain, thereby polluting the Object.prototype with attacker-controlled properties. This allows adversaries to manipulate the behavior of all objects that inherit from Object.prototype, potentially leading to various downstream security issues including but not limited to arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or data manipulation attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-471 which specifically addresses the issue of using insecure functions that can lead to prototype pollution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple library usage as rangy is commonly integrated into web applications, content management systems, and rich text editors. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially compromise the entire application by manipulating prototype properties that affect how objects behave throughout the application lifecycle. This type of vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in server-side rendering contexts or when the library processes untrusted user input. The attack vector typically involves passing maliciously crafted objects to the extend() function, which then propagates these malicious properties through the prototype chain. This vulnerability can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access and T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service, depending on the exploitation method and target environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-26102 primarily involve updating to the patched version of the rangy library where the extend() function has been modified to properly validate and sanitize property names during object merging operations. Organizations should conduct thorough dependency audits to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of rangy and ensure timely patching. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for any data processed by the library, using a Content Security Policy to limit potential exploitation vectors, and considering the use of prototype pollution prevention libraries or frameworks that can detect and block such attacks. Security teams should also monitor for any indirect exploitation attempts that might leverage this vulnerability in combination with other flaws within the application stack. The fix typically involves implementing proper property name validation and ensuring that prototype-polluting property names are rejected during the merge process, thereby preventing unauthorized modifications to the Object.prototype chain.