CVE-2022-24999: Qs Qs Vulnerable To Prototype Pollution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-hrpp-h998-j3pp
Share
CVSS 7.5
CWE-1321
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-24999 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) qs vulnerable to prototype pollution vulnerability (CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')) affecting Qs libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves qs vulnerable to prototype pollution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 6.10.3, 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, 6.2.4.

CVE-2022-24999 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-24999
GHSA Identifier GHSA-hrpp-h998-j3pp
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 7.5
CWE Classification CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')
Affected Product Qs
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 7.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2022-24999

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

qs fixed: 6.10.3 
npm install qs@6.10.3
qs fixed: 6.9.7 
npm install qs@6.9.7
qs fixed: 6.8.3 
npm install qs@6.8.3
qs fixed: 6.7.3 
npm install qs@6.7.3
qs fixed: 6.6.1 
npm install qs@6.6.1
qs fixed: 6.5.3 
npm install qs@6.5.3
qs fixed: 6.4.1 
npm install qs@6.4.1
qs fixed: 6.3.3 
npm install qs@6.3.3
qs fixed: 6.2.4 
npm install qs@6.2.4
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 qs

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2022-24999, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls qs

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Qs in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 6.10.3), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls qs 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-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution'), where 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. In Qs, 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

qs before 6.10.3 allows attackers to cause a Node process hang because an `__ proto__` key can be used. In many typical web framework use cases, an unauthenticated remote attacker can place the attack payload in the query string of the URL that is used to visit the application, such as `a[__proto__]=b&a[__proto__]&a[length]=100000000`. The fix was backported to qs 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, and 6.2.4.

CVE-2022-24999 Affected Qs Versions

9 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
6.10.36.9.76.8.36.7.36.6.16.5.36.4.16.3.36.2.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.10.0
< 6.10.3
6.10.3
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.9.0
< 6.9.7
6.9.7
qs
npm/qs
npm
< 6.8.3
≥ 6.8.0
6.8.3
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.7.0
< 6.7.3
6.7.3
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.6.0
< 6.6.1
6.6.1
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.5.0
< 6.5.3
6.5.3
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.4.0
< 6.4.1
6.4.1
qs
npm/qs
npm
≥ 6.3.0
< 6.3.3
6.3.3
qs
npm/qs
npm
< 6.2.4
6.2.4

References

NVD — CVE-2022-24999 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24999
Qs Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/pull/428
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/4310742efbd8c03f6495f07906b45213da0a32ec
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/727ef5d34605108acb3513f72d5435972ed15b68
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/73205259936317b40f447c5cdb71c5b341848e1b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/8b4cc14cda94a5c89341b77e5fe435ec6c41be2d
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/ba24e74dd17931f825adb52f5633e48293b584e1
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/e799ba57e573a30c14b67c1889c7c04d508b9105
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/ed0f5dcbef4b168a8ae299d78b1e4a2e9b1baf1f
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/f945393cfe442fe8c6e62b4156fd35452c0686ee
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/fc3682776670524a42e19709ec4a8138d0d7afda
Qs Release RELEASE
https://github.com/expressjs/express/releases/tag/4.17.3
Qs Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/ljharb/qs
Qs Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/n8tz/CVE-2022-24999
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/01/msg00039.html
Qs Security Information SECURITY
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230908-0005

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-24999?
CVE-2022-24999 is a security vulnerability in Qs involving qs vulnerable to Prototype Pollution under CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution').
Which Qs versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 6.10.3, 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, 6.2.4 across affected packages: qs.
What version fixes CVE-2022-24999?
Upgrading to 6.10.3, 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, 6.2.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is qs affected?
Yes, qs is affected in releases prior to 6.10.3, 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, 6.2.4. Upgrade your dependency to 6.10.3, 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, 6.2.4 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-24999?
CVE-2022-24999 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-24999?
CVE-2022-24999 is classified under CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution') (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 can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2022-24999?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls qs'. 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-hrpp-h998-j3pp",
  "modified" : "2025-04-29T15:41:43Z",
  "published" : "2022-11-27T00:30:50Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-24999" ],
  "summary" : "qs vulnerable to Prototype Pollution",
  "details" : "qs before 6.10.3 allows attackers to cause a Node process hang because an `__ proto__` key can be used. In many typical web framework use cases, an unauthenticated remote attacker can place the attack payload in the query string of the URL that is used to visit the application, such as `a[__proto__]=b&a[__proto__]&a[length]=100000000`. The fix was backported to qs 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, and 6.2.4.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.10.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.10.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.9.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.9.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.8.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.8.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.7.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.7.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.6.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.6.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.5.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.5.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.4.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "6.3.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.3.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "qs"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "6.2.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-24999"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/pull/428"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/4310742efbd8c03f6495f07906b45213da0a32ec"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/727ef5d34605108acb3513f72d5435972ed15b68"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/73205259936317b40f447c5cdb71c5b341848e1b"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/8b4cc14cda94a5c89341b77e5fe435ec6c41be2d"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/ba24e74dd17931f825adb52f5633e48293b584e1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/e799ba57e573a30c14b67c1889c7c04d508b9105"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/ed0f5dcbef4b168a8ae299d78b1e4a2e9b1baf1f"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/f945393cfe442fe8c6e62b4156fd35452c0686ee"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs/commit/fc3682776670524a42e19709ec4a8138d0d7afda"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/expressjs/express/releases/tag/4.17.3"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/ljharb/qs"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8tz/CVE-2022-24999"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/01/msg00039.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230908-0005"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-1321" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-12-06T14:32:46Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-11-26T22:15:00Z"
  }
}