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CVE-2024-38999NVD status: Deferred

requirejs: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes

CVE-2024-38999 is a critical-severity improperly controlled modification of object prototype attributes vulnerability in requirejs from Jrburke, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected requirejs versions: 2.3.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.84% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 59% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of requirejs you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Jrburkerequirejs2.3.6Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

jrburke requirejs v2.3.6 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function s.contexts._.configure. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes

The product receives input from an upstream component that specifies attributes that are to be initialized or updated in an object, but it does not properly control modifications of attributes of the object prototype.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • By freezing the object prototype first (for example, Object.freeze(Object.prototype)), modification of the prototype becomes impossible.
  • By blocking modifications of attributes that resolve to object prototype, such as proto or prototype, this weakness can be mitigated.
  • When handling untrusted objects, validating using a schema can be used.

More Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes vulnerabilities (CWE-1321)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes vulnerabilities

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