# CVE-2020-15256: Prototype pollution in object-path

> Prototype pollution in object-path allows attackers to modify object prototypes, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation when specific options are enabled.

- **Severity:** High 7.7 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Oct 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2020-15256, GHSA-cwx2-736x-mf6w, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-15256

## What is CVE-2020-15256?

CVE-2020-15256 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in mariocasciaro object-path, published on 19 Oct 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A prototype pollution vulnerability has been found in `object-path` <= 0.11.4 affecting the `set()` method. The vulnerability is limited to the `includeInheritedProps` mode (if version >= 0.11.0 is used), which has to be explicitly enabled by creating a new instance of `object-path` and setting the option `includeInheritedProps: true`, or by using the default `withInheritedProps` instance. The default operating mode is not affected by the vulnerability if version >= 0.11.0 is used. Any usage of `set()` in versions < 0.11.0 is vulnerable. The issue is fixed in object-path version 0.11.5 As a workaround, don't use the `includeInheritedProps: true` options or the `withInheritedProps` instance if using a version >= 0.11.0.

Weakness: CWE-471 (Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data (MAID)), CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-15256?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including object-path. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `object-path` | npm | All versions | 0.11.5 |
| `object-path` | npm | All versions | 0.11.5 |

Products: Object-Path Project Object-Path.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-15256?

Upgrade object-path to 0.11.5 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-15256 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-15256 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-15256 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-15256 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in mariocasciaro object-path, published on 19 Oct 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-15256 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- object-path (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.11.5
- object-path (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 0.11.5

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15256/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15256/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-15256
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15256
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-15256

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15256/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.