Prototype Pollution Vulnerability in node-extend
Summary
CVE-2018-16491: A prototype pollution vulnerability was found in node.extend. Affects node-extend versions < 3.0.2-1. Fixed in 3.0.2-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
node-extend is a package in the Debian ecosystem that provides a way to extend objects in Node.js. It allows developers to add new properties and methods to existing objects. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in versions prior to 1.1.7 and 2.0.1, which allows an attacker to inject arbitrary properties onto Object.prototype.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, known as CVE-2018-16491, is a prototype pollution vulnerability. It occurs when an attacker is able to modify the prototype of an object, leading to potential security issues. In the case of node-extend, an attacker can inject arbitrary properties onto Object.prototype, which can then be accessed and manipulated by other parts of the application. This can result in various attacks, such as remote code execution or privilege escalation.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.0.2-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade node-extend
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating the package is not immediately possible, a temporary workaround is to avoid using node-extend or to carefully validate and sanitize any input that is passed to the package. By ensuring that only trusted and properly validated data is used, the risk of prototype pollution can be mitigated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the prototype pollution vulnerability in node-extend can lead to serious security issues if not addressed. It is important to update the package to the fixed version or apply the recommended workarounds. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for node-extend →
FAQ
Prototype pollution is a vulnerability that occurs when an attacker is able to modify the prototype of an object. By injecting properties onto Object.prototype, the attacker can manipulate the behavior of the application and potentially execute malicious code.
The consequences of this vulnerability can vary depending on how the affected package is used in the application. In some cases, it can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or other security issues.
Yes, updating node-extend to version 3.0.2-1 or higher will fix the vulnerability. It is recommended to update the package as soon as possible.
If updating the package is not immediately possible, a temporary workaround is to avoid using node-extend or to carefully validate and sanitize any input that is passed to the package.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the CVE-2018-16491.json file available at the following source: https://storage.googleapis.com/cve-osv-conversion/osv-output/CVE-2018-16491.json
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for node-extend.