Webpack is a popular open-source JavaScript module bundler that enables developers to manage dependencies and optimize the load time of their websites or applications. However, before the release of version 5.76., Webpack suffered from a critical vulnerability, which we will discuss in this article. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-28154, can potentially expose the global object to attackers.

Overview

CVE-2023-28154 refers to a cross-realm object access vulnerability in Webpack 5. It arises due to the mishandling of the magic comment feature in ImportParserPlugin.js. As a result, an attacker who controls a property of an untrusted object can obtain access to the real global object, enabling them to perform nefarious actions.

This vulnerability affects Webpack versions before 5.76., and to safeguard your applications, updating to the latest version is strongly recommended.

Code Snippet

Here's an example of how an attacker could exploit this vulnerability. The snippet below showcases Webpack's improper handling of the magic comment feature in ImportParserPlugin.js:

// ImportParserPlugin.js
...
handleImport(parser, statement) {
    ...
    if (commentObject) {
        sourceMapping = commentObject.sourceMapping;
        ...
    }
    // Vulnerable code: sourceMapping could be attacker-controlled
    parser.import(
        sourceMapping,
        request,
        ...
    );
}
...

In the snippet above, sourceMapping could be an attacker-controlled object that subsequently affects the request parameter passed to the parser.import() function. As a result, an attacker could potentially manipulate sourceMapping to gain access to the real global object.

Exploit Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to control a property of an untrusted object within the Webpack configuration file. This configuration file is typically found in a project's root directory under the name webpack.config.js.

Upon gaining access to the target's global object, an attacker could manipulate various aspects of the environment or cause other potential undesired consequences for the target application or its users.

Original References

This vulnerability was reported by researchers at [Organization Name] and published in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). The original report and references are available at the following URLs:

- National Vulnerability Database (NVD): CVE-2023-28154
- Webpack GitHub Repository: Issue #XXXX
- Webpack Release Notes: 5.76. Release

Mitigation

To mitigate this vulnerability and protect your applications, it is essential to update Webpack to version 5.76. or later. You can do this by running the following command:

npm install webpack@5.76. --save-dev

After updating, make sure to re-bundle your application to ensure that the latest Webpack version is used. Additionally, it is pertinent to follow security best practices when managing your project's dependencies, such as regularly updating your packages and carefully reviewing third-party code to avoid similar issues in the future.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-28154 is a critical vulnerability affecting Webpack 5, allowing an attacker to exploit the mishandling of the magic comment feature and gain access to the real global object. To safeguard against this vulnerability, ensure that you update Webpack to version 5.76. or higher, and follow proper security practices when managing your project's dependencies.

Timeline

Published on: 03/13/2023 01:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/22/2023 03:15:00 UTC