CVE-2025-26278 in dref
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2025
A prototype pollution in the lib.set function of dref v0.1.2 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-26278 represents a prototype pollution issue within the lib.set function of the dref library version 0.1.2. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is used to set properties on JavaScript objects, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the prototype chain of objects. The dref library is commonly used for dereferencing and setting values in nested object structures, making it a critical component in applications that handle complex data manipulation. When prototype pollution occurs, attackers can inject malicious properties into the Object.prototype, which then gets inherited by all objects in the application, potentially leading to unexpected behavior or complete application failure.
The technical flaw manifests specifically within the lib.set function where the library does not adequately check or sanitize input parameters before using them to set properties on objects. This allows attackers to craft payloads that can manipulate the prototype chain by injecting properties with names that match existing prototype methods or properties. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to cause a denial of service condition where the application becomes unstable or crashes. When an attacker supplies a crafted payload containing specially formatted property names, the library's set function processes these inputs without proper validation, resulting in the pollution of the prototype object with malicious properties. This creates a cascading effect where all subsequent object operations may be affected, leading to unpredictable application behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as prototype pollution can enable more sophisticated attacks such as remote code execution in certain contexts, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the application uses features that rely heavily on object inheritance. The DoS condition can be triggered by any application that utilizes the dref library for setting values in nested objects, potentially affecting web applications, server-side processing systems, and any software that depends on this library for data manipulation. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where the library processes untrusted input from users or external sources, as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or specific authentication. The effects can be widespread across applications that rely on this library, making it a critical security concern for organizations maintaining software systems that utilize dref version 0.1.2.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26278 should focus on immediate remediation through library updates, as the most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the dref library where the prototype pollution vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable lib.set function, particularly when processing user-supplied data or external inputs. The implementation of prototype pollution protection mechanisms such as using Object.freeze() or Object.preventExtensions() on critical objects can help prevent unauthorized modifications to the prototype chain. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts, as prototype pollution attacks may not always result in immediate application failure but can be used to establish persistent footholds. Additionally, following secure coding practices that emphasize proper validation of object property names and avoiding direct assignment of user input to object properties can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which addresses the issue of incorrect assignment of a value to a variable, and may be related to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in software libraries. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify other potential instances of prototype pollution within their codebase and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to address similar vulnerabilities across their software ecosystem.