CVE-2023-30857 in support
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2023
@aedart/support is the support package for Ion, a monorepo for JavaScript/TypeScript packages. Prior to version `0.6.1`, there is a possible prototype pollution issue for the `MetadataRecord`, when merged with a base class' metadata object, in `meta` decorator from the `@aedart/support` package. The likelihood of exploitation is questionable, given that a class's metadata can only be set or altered when the class is decorated via `meta()`. Furthermore, object(s) of sensitive nature would have to be stored as metadata, before this can lead to a security impact. The issue has been patched in version `0.6.1`.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-30857 resides within the @aedart/support package, a critical component of Ion's monorepo ecosystem for JavaScript and TypeScript development. This issue manifests as a potential prototype pollution vulnerability affecting the MetadataRecord class during the merging process with base class metadata objects through the meta decorator functionality. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of JavaScript's prototype chain manipulation and metadata decoration patterns, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted metadata could potentially influence the behavior of the application's object model. The security implications arise from the fundamental nature of JavaScript's prototype mechanism, where modifications to Object.prototype can affect all objects in the application's runtime environment. According to CWE-471, this represents a weakness involving the modification of a data structure or object's prototype, which can lead to unexpected behavior and potential exploitation vectors.
The technical flaw specifically occurs when the meta decorator processes metadata records and merges them with existing base class metadata objects. This merging operation, when executed without proper validation or sanitization, allows for prototype pollution to occur through the metadata structure. The vulnerability requires that a class be decorated with the meta decorator for exploitation to be possible, which creates a specific attack surface that is not immediately obvious to developers. The patch implemented in version 0.6.1 addresses this by introducing proper validation mechanisms that prevent malicious metadata from polluting the prototype chain. This fix aligns with defensive programming practices that are recommended in the ATT&CK framework under TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) and TA0005 (Defense Evasion) tactics, where prototype pollution can be leveraged to escalate privileges or evade security controls. The vulnerability's low likelihood of exploitation stems from the requirement that specific conditions must be met, including the presence of sensitive objects within metadata and the deliberate use of the meta decorator.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple prototype pollution, as it could potentially enable attackers to manipulate application behavior through indirect means. When metadata objects are stored with sensitive information and subsequently processed through the vulnerable merging mechanism, the prototype pollution could lead to unexpected execution paths or data corruption. This issue is particularly concerning in JavaScript environments where metadata is often used for dependency injection, configuration management, or runtime behavior modification. The vulnerability's remediation through version 0.6.1 demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in decorator-based systems. Organizations should consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can identify similar patterns in their codebases, as prototype pollution vulnerabilities often manifest in complex systems where metadata processing is prevalent. The fix should be prioritized in environments where the @aedart/support package is actively used, particularly in applications that rely heavily on metadata-driven architecture patterns. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating and sanitizing metadata inputs in decorator-based frameworks, as such systems can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.