Observability with Instana (Agent): Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes
CVE-2026-14893 is a high-severity improperly controlled modification of object prototype attributes vulnerability in Observability with Instana (Agent) from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Observability with Instana (Agent) versions: Build 1.0.303 through 1.0.320. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Observability with Instana (Agent) you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | Observability with Instana (Agent) | Build 1.0.303 through 1.0.320 | Not 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- 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
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).
Official description
IBM Observability with Instana (Agent) Build 1.0.303 through 1.0.320 IBM Instana Node.js tracer component @instana/core version 6.2.1 is vulnerable to prototype pollution through its configuration normalization API.
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
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Observability with Instana (Agent)
- 7.7 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
Recent Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
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