Prototype Pollution Vulnerability in Node-Extend Package
Summary
DEBIAN-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 ↓
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Background
Node-extend is a popular JavaScript library used in Node.js applications for extending objects with properties from other objects. It allows developers to create new objects by merging properties, making it easier to manage and manipulate data structures. However, certain versions of node-extend are vulnerable to a prototype pollution issue, which can lead to security risks if exploited by attackers.
Vulnerability Detail
A prototype pollution vulnerability was identified in node.extend versions prior to 1.1.7 and between 1.1.7 and 2.0.1. This vulnerability allows an attacker to inject arbitrary properties onto Object.prototype, which can lead to unexpected behavior in applications that rely on object properties. The origin of this issue lies in the way node-extend handles object merging, allowing malicious input to alter the prototype chain of objects, potentially compromising the integrity of the application.
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-extendTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If you cannot update the package immediately, consider implementing input validation to sanitize any data being merged into objects. This can help prevent malicious properties from being injected into Object.prototype.
Conclusion
The prototype pollution vulnerability in the node-extend package poses significant security risks to applications using affected versions. It is crucial to update to the patched version 3.0.2-1 or later to safeguard your application. Additionally, implementing input validation can serve as a temporary measure to mitigate risks until an update can be applied.
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FAQ
Prototype pollution is a security vulnerability that allows an attacker to modify the prototype of built-in objects in JavaScript, potentially leading to unexpected behavior and security issues.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and other security risks, as it allows attackers to modify the behavior of objects in your application.
Yes, implementing input validation to sanitize data before merging it into objects can help mitigate the risk of prototype pollution.
You can find more information about the node-extend package on its official repository or documentation site.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for node-extend.
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