CVE-2024-38985 in depath
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2025
janryWang products depath v1.0.6 and cool-path v1.1.2 were discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the set() method at setIn (lib/index.js:90). This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38985 affects specific versions of janryWang products including depath version 1.0.6 and cool-path version 1.1.2. This security flaw resides within the prototype pollution mechanism of these JavaScript libraries, specifically through the set() method implementation in the setIn function located at lib/index.js line 90. The core issue stems from improper handling of object property assignment that allows attackers to manipulate the prototype chain of objects. This vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it enables attackers to inject arbitrary properties into objects, potentially leading to severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
The technical flaw manifests when the setIn function processes object property assignments without adequate validation or sanitization of input parameters. When attackers provide malicious input to the set() method, they can manipulate the prototype of objects within the application's memory space. This occurs because the function fails to properly isolate or validate the property names being set, allowing attackers to inject properties that can alter the behavior of the JavaScript runtime environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the prototype pollution attack vector where attackers can modify the Object.prototype or other core object prototypes, enabling them to control the execution flow of applications that rely on these libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant across multiple attack scenarios. An attacker could leverage this prototype pollution to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions where attackers can corrupt the application's object structure, causing unpredictable behavior or application crashes. Additionally, this flaw can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting or server-side request forgery by manipulating object properties that are later processed by the application. The attack surface extends to any application that uses these vulnerable libraries and processes user-provided data through the set() method.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through version updates to patched releases of the affected libraries. Organizations should prioritize updating depath to version 1.0.7 or later and cool-path to version 1.1.3 or higher where the prototype pollution vulnerability has been addressed. In addition to version updates, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Developers should employ defensive programming practices such as using Object.freeze() or Object.preventExtensions() on critical objects, implementing property name validation, and avoiding direct property assignment with user-controlled inputs. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual object property modifications and anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate prototype pollution attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-471 which describes the weakness of "Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data" and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' where attackers may leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through JavaScript environments.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in JavaScript environments where prototype manipulation can have far-reaching consequences. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their dependency trees to identify other potentially vulnerable libraries that might be susceptible to similar prototype pollution attacks. Regular security audits and dependency monitoring are essential to maintain application security posture against evolving threats. The affected libraries should be immediately removed from production environments until proper patches are applied, and comprehensive testing should be performed to ensure that the vulnerability has been fully resolved without introducing regressions in application functionality.