CVE-2016-10546
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2016-10546 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in PouchDB versions 6.0.4 and earlier. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code and system commands through map/reduce functions in temporary views and design documents. Any application using vulnerable PouchDB versions is affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- PouchDB
📦 What is this software?
Pouchdb by Pouchdb
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, steal data, install malware, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Data theft, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to database contents and server resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation, sandboxing, and network segmentation in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to map/reduce functions but doesn't require authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.0.5 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://nodesecurity.io/advisories/143
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update PouchDB to version 6.0.5 or later using npm update pouchdb. 2. Restart the application. 3. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable map/reduce functions
allTemporarily disable or restrict access to map/reduce functionality in PouchDB.
Configure application to avoid using temporary views and design documents with map/reduce
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all map/reduce function inputs
- Network segmentation to isolate PouchDB instances from critical systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check package.json or run npm list pouchdb to see if version is 6.0.4 or earlierCheck Version:
npm list pouchdb | grep pouchdbVerify Fix Applied:
Verify PouchDB version is 6.0.5 or later using npm list pouchdb📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual map/reduce function calls
- Suspicious JavaScript execution patterns
- Unexpected system command execution
Network Indicators:
- Unusual database queries from unexpected sources
- Suspicious payloads in API requests
SIEM Query:
source="application_logs" AND ("map/reduce" OR "temporary view" OR "design document") AND status="error"