CVE-2020-8147: Utils extend Prototype Pollution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-6pq3-928q-x6w6
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CWE-471
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2020-8147 is a HIGH prototype pollution vulnerability (CWE-471: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)) affecting Utils extend libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves prototype pollution. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2020-8147 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2020-8147
GHSA Identifier GHSA-6pq3-928q-x6w6
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-471: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)
Affected Product Utils extend
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2020-8147

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Utils extend dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

utils-extend fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install utils-extend@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls utils-extend

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2020-8147, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls utils-extend

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Utils extend in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls utils-extend command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-471: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID), where the product does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker. In Utils extend, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

All versions of `utils-extend` are vulnerable to prototype pollution. The `extend` function does not restrict the modification of an Object's prototype, which may allow an attacker to add or modify an existing property that will exist on all objects. ## Recommendation No fix is currently available. Consider using an alternative package until a fix is made available.

CVE-2020-8147 Affected Utils extend Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
utils-extend
npm/utils-extend
npm
≥ 0.0.0

References

NVD — CVE-2020-8147 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8147
hackerone.com/reports/801522 WEB
https://hackerone.com/reports/801522
www.npmjs.com/advisories/1502 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1502

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-8147?
CVE-2020-8147 is a security vulnerability in Utils extend involving Prototype Pollution under CWE-471: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID).
Which Utils extend versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: utils-extend.
What version fixes CVE-2020-8147?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is utils-extend affected?
Yes, utils-extend is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-8147?
CVE-2020-8147 is classified under CWE-471: Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID) (The product does not properly protect an assumed-immutable element from being modified by an attacker.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2020-8147?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls utils-extend'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-6pq3-928q-x6w6",
  "modified" : "2021-06-07T22:49:29Z",
  "published" : "2020-09-03T15:51:28Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-8147" ],
  "summary" : "Prototype Pollution",
  "details" : "All versions of `utils-extend` are vulnerable to prototype pollution. The `extend` function does not restrict the modification of an Object's prototype, which may allow an attacker to add or modify an existing property that will exist on all objects.\n\n## Recommendation\n\nNo fix is currently available. Consider using an alternative package until a fix is made available.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "utils-extend"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0.0.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-8147"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://hackerone.com/reports/801522"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1502"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-471" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-08-31T19:01:37Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}