CWE-1321 Variante Incompleto

Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')

Prototype pollution occurs when an application takes user-supplied input and uses it to improperly modify the properties of a JavaScript object's prototype. This allows attackers to inject key-value…

Definição

What is CWE-1321?

Prototype pollution occurs when an application takes user-supplied input and uses it to improperly modify the properties of a JavaScript object's prototype. This allows attackers to inject key-value pairs into the base object, potentially altering the application's logic, crashing it, or escalating privileges.
This vulnerability typically arises in JavaScript when functions like `Object.assign()`, `merge()`, or `deepClone()` recursively combine objects without properly validating the source keys. Attackers can send crafted input containing special keys like `__proto__` or `constructor.prototype`. If this input is merged unsafely, the polluted properties are added to the global prototype chain, affecting every object that inherits from it. To prevent prototype pollution, developers should adopt security-focused practices. These include using objects without prototypes (e.g., `Object.create(null)`), employing safe merge functions that reject prototype-related keys, and validating all external input before processing. Freezing the `Object.prototype` in critical environments can also serve as a defensive measure against this type of attack.
Vulnerability Diagram CWE-1321
Prototype Pollution Attacker JSON { "__proto__": { "isAdmin": true } } Object.prototype deepMerge(obj, input) ↓ writes to __proto__ isAdmin = true on the prototype → inherited by every {} Every object o.isAdmin === true auth bypass / RCE Writing to __proto__ taints every object that inherits from Object.prototype.
Impacto no mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-1321

  • Prototype pollution by merging objects.

  • Prototype pollution by setting default values to object attributes recursively.

  • Prototype pollution by merging objects recursively.

  • Prototype pollution by setting object attributes based on dot-separated path.

Como os atacantes a exploram

Trajeto do atacante passo a passo

  1. 1

    This function sets object attributes based on a dot-separated path.

  2. 2

    This function does not check if the attribute resolves to the object prototype. These codes can be used to add "isAdmin: true" to the object prototype.

  3. 3

    By using a denylist of dangerous attributes, this weakness can be eliminated.

Exemplo de código vulnerável

Vulnerable JavaScript

This function sets object attributes based on a dot-separated path.

Vulnerável JavaScript
function setValueByPath (object, path, value) {
  	 const pathArray = path.split(".");
  	 const attributeToSet = pathArray.pop();
  	 let objectToModify = object;
  	 for (const attr of pathArray) {
  		if (typeof objectToModify[attr] !== 'object') {
  			objectToModify[attr] = {};
  			 }
  		 objectToModify = objectToModify[attr];
  		 }
  	 objectToModify[attributeToSet] = value;
  	 return object;
  	 }
Exemplo de código seguro

Secure JavaScript

By using a denylist of dangerous attributes, this weakness can be eliminated.

Seguro JavaScript
function setValueByPath (object, path, value) {
  	 const pathArray = path.split(".");
  	 const attributeToSet = pathArray.pop();
  	 let objectToModify = object;
  	 for (const attr of pathArray) {
```
// Ignore attributes which resolve to object prototype* 
  		 if (attr === "__proto__" || attr === "constructor" || attr === "prototype") {
  		
  		```
  			 continue;
  			 }
  		 if (typeof objectToModify[attr] !== "object") {
  			 objectToModify[attr] = {};
  			 }
  		 objectToModify = objectToModify[attr];
  		 }
  	 objectToModify[attributeToSet] = value;
  	 return object;
  	 }
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Lista de verificação de prevenção

How to prevent CWE-1321

  • Implementation By freezing the object prototype first (for example, Object.freeze(Object.prototype)), modification of the prototype becomes impossible.
  • Architecture and Design By blocking modifications of attributes that resolve to object prototype, such as proto or prototype, this weakness can be mitigated.
  • Implementation When handling untrusted objects, validating using a schema can be used.
  • Implementation By using an object without prototypes (via Object.create(null) ), adding object prototype attributes by accessing the prototype via the special attributes becomes impossible, mitigating this weakness.
  • Implementation Map can be used instead of objects in most cases. If Map methods are used instead of object attributes, it is not possible to access the object prototype or modify it.
Sinais de deteção

How to detect CWE-1321

SAST High

Executar análise estática (SAST) na base de código à procura do padrão inseguro no fluxo de dados.

DAST Moderate

Executar testes dinâmicos de segurança de aplicações (DAST) contra o endpoint em execução.

Runtime Moderate

Monitorizar os registos em tempo de execução para traços de exceção invulgares, input malformado ou tentativas de contornar a autorização.

Code review Moderate

Revisão de código: sinalizar qualquer novo código que trate input desta superfície sem usar os ajudantes validados do framework.

Correção automática do Plexicus

O Plexicus deteta automaticamente o CWE-1321 e abre um PR de correção em menos de 60 segundos.

O Codex Remedium analisa cada commit, identifica esta fraqueza exata e entrega um pull request pronto para revisão com o patch. Sem tickets. Sem transferências.

Perguntas frequentes

Frequently asked questions

O que é o CWE-1321?

Prototype pollution occurs when an application takes user-supplied input and uses it to improperly modify the properties of a JavaScript object's prototype. This allows attackers to inject key-value pairs into the base object, potentially altering the application's logic, crashing it, or escalating privileges.

Qual a gravidade do CWE-1321?

A MITRE não publicou uma classificação de probabilidade de exploração para esta fraqueza. Trate-a como impacto médio até o seu modelo de ameaças provar o contrário.

Que linguagens ou plataformas são afetadas pelo CWE-1321?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: JavaScript.

Como posso prevenir o CWE-1321?

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.

Como é que o Plexicus deteta e corrige o CWE-1321?

O motor SAST do Plexicus correlaciona a assinatura de fluxo de dados do CWE-1321 em cada commit. Quando é encontrada uma correspondência, o nosso agente Codex Remedium abre um PR de correção com o código corrigido, testes e um resumo de uma linha para o revisor.

Onde posso saber mais sobre o CWE-1321?

A MITRE publica a definição canónica em https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1321.html. Pode também consultar a documentação da OWASP e do NIST para orientações adjacentes.

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