CVE-2024-14020
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a prototype pollution vulnerability in carboneio carbone's Formatter Handler component. Attackers can remotely modify object prototype attributes, potentially leading to code execution or data manipulation. Only NodeJS applications using vulnerable carbone versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- carboneio carbone
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities in the parent NodeJS application.
Likely Case
Data manipulation, denial of service, or privilege escalation within the carbone application context.
If Mitigated
Limited impact to carbone functionality with no escalation to underlying system.
🎯 Exploit Status
Attack characterized as high complexity and difficult exploitability; requires specific conditions in parent application.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.5.6
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/carboneio/carbone/releases/tag/3.5.6
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update package.json to require carbone version 3.5.6 or higher. 2. Run 'npm update carbone' or 'yarn upgrade carbone'. 3. Restart your NodeJS application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input validation and sanitization
allImplement strict input validation for all data passed to carbone formatter functions
Object.freeze on prototypes
allUse Object.freeze() to prevent modification of Object.prototype and other base prototypes
Object.freeze(Object.prototype);
Object.freeze(Array.prototype);
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate carbone to separate network segment with strict egress filtering
- Implement web application firewall rules to detect and block prototype pollution patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check package.json for carbone dependency version below 3.5.6 or examine node_modules/carbone/package.jsonCheck Version:
npm list carbone | grep carboneVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm carbone version is 3.5.6 or higher in package.json and verify commit 04f9feb24bfca23567706392f9ad2c53bbe4134e is present📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual carbone formatter errors
- Unexpected object property modifications
- Prototype-related JavaScript errors
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP requests to carbone endpoints with nested object patterns
SIEM Query:
source="application.log" AND ("carbone" AND ("prototype" OR "__proto__" OR "constructor"))