CVE-2024-38999: RequireJS Prototype Pollution RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-38999 Overview

jrburke requirejs v2.3.6 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function s.contexts._.configure. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.

Critical Impact

Vulnerability leads to arbitrary code execution and Denial of Service

Affected Products

• jrburke requirejs v2.3.6
• Not Available
• Not Available

Discovery Timeline

• Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
• Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Not Available
• Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-38999 assigned
• Not Available - Not Available releases security patch
• 2024-07-01T13:15:05.280 - CVE CVE-2024-38999 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21T09:27:05.063 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-38999

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability in s.contexts._.configure allows an attacker to perform prototype pollution, which can subsequently lead to arbitrary code execution or Denial of Service. By injecting properties into the configuration context, an attacker can manipulate the application's behavior and potentially execute malicious code.

Root Cause

The lack of proper input validation in the configure function of the requirejs library is the primary root cause of this vulnerability.

Attack Vector

This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over a network without authentication.

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
const requirejs = require('requirejs');

requirejs.config({
    urlArgs: "bust=" + (new Date()).getTime()
});

requirejs(['module'], function(module) {
    module.someMethod();
});

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-38999

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications in JavaScript objects
• Unusual network traffic patterns signaling DoS attempts
• Application crashes or abnormal termination logs

Detection Strategies

Utilize anomaly detection systems to monitor for unusual object property additions and track changes in standard JavaScript objects in runtime environments.

Monitoring Recommendations

Implement logging and monitoring of JavaScript application behavior to identify suspicious patterns. Tools like SentinelOne can enhance this with behavioral AI to detect deviations in expected workflows.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-38999

Immediate Actions Required

• Update to a newer version of requirejs if available
• Deploy a security patch from the vendor
• Conduct a thorough code review focusing on input validation

Patch Information

Vendors are advised to release patches to secure the configure function implementation by sanitizing inputs.

Workarounds

If patching is not possible, temporarily implement input validation checks to sanitize configuration data.

# Configuration example
echo "Implementing input validation in require.js configuration"

sanitizeInput() {
    # Your sanitization logic here
    if [[ "$1" =~ [^a-zA-Z0-9] ]]; then
        echo "Invalid input detected"
    fi
}