Published: June 2024
Severity: Low to Medium (depending on context)
Affected Package: axios < 1.7.8

Introduction

A recent finding, CVE-2024-57965, has highlighted an issue in the way axios—one of the most popular JavaScript HTTP clients—handled URL origin checks up to version 1.7.7. The bug was found in a helper file, lib/helpers/isURLSameOrigin.js, and has raised questions in the security community about the line between vulnerabilities and code quality warnings.

This article will break down what the CVE is about, how the vulnerable code works, walk you through an example, and clarify whether you should worry or not. There will also be links to helpful sources and migration suggestions.

What is the Problem?

In axios, the function isURLSameOrigin was designed to check if a given URL shares the same "origin" (protocol + host + port) as the current page. This is important for security reasons, especially when sending cookies with cross-origin requests.

The problem is that the function used an old method with element .setAttribute('href', href) instead of using the standard JavaScript URL object. Also, that .setAttribute call could lead to odd browser behaviors or, in rare cases, be influenced by DOM-related shenanigans.

Some think this is NOT a true vulnerability, since it's very hard—possibly impossible—to exploit in practice and mainly quiets warnings from analysis tools like SAST (Static Application Security Testing). Others note that changing the code is best practice and could possibly prevent mischief in weird cases.

Here's a simplified snippet, similar to the old vulnerable code

// lib/helpers/isURLSameOrigin.js
function isURLSameOrigin(requestURL) {
  // Create an anchor element
  var msie = /(msie|trident)/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
  var urlParsingNode = document.createElement('a');
  
  // THIS is the problematic line
  urlParsingNode.setAttribute('href', requestURL); 
  
  var parsed = {
    protocol: urlParsingNode.protocol ? urlParsingNode.protocol.replace(/:$/, '') : '',
    host: urlParsingNode.host
  };

  var originURL = window.location;

  return (parsed.protocol === originURL.protocol.replace(/:$/, '')) && (parsed.host === originURL.host);
}

Using an anchor tag for URL parsing.

- Calling setAttribute('href', href), which could (in theory) have side-effects if exploited by malicious code that tampers with attributes or the DOM, or if the client is using a non-standard browser.

From axios 1.7.8 onwards, the code uses the standard URL object

function isURLSameOrigin(requestURL) {
  var parsed = new URL(requestURL, window.location.href);
  var origin = window.location;

  return (parsed.protocol === origin.protocol && parsed.host === origin.host);
}

Is this Exploitable?

In real-world terms, it's extremely unlikely you could exploit this, unless you already had code execution in the browser or could tamper with the DOM in a privileged way—at which point, much worse things are probably possible.

The main risk is *theoretical*: if a malicious script managed to tamper with anchor elements or the global environment, maybe it could trick this function, but it's hard to see an actual attack here.

Here's what happens in a suspicious but not really dangerous scenario

// Attacker controls requestURL but not the DOM.
const url = "http://example.com";;
if (isURLSameOrigin(url)) {
  // do something sensitive
}

Unless the attacker can also change how .setAttribute('href', ...) works, they won't be able to fake the origin.

What Do Security Tools Say?

- Tools like Snyk or Github Advisory Database flag this as a *potential issue* because DOM code is harder to analyze, but most experts agree the risk is minimal or only relevant for *browser extensions*, strange custom browsers, or if running on really untrusted web pages.

Should You Update?

- YES, always upgrade to the latest version of axios. It's a minor change, painless to apply, and might quiet future warnings.

Key References

- Official axios PR fixing the issue
- CVE-2024-57965 NVD page
- axios changelog for 1.7.8
- Snyk advisory

Final Thoughts

CVE-2024-57965 is a good example of how software security is as much about being careful and modern as it is about fighting actual attackers. The old axios code wasn't unsafe for 99% of use cases, and no real exploits are known or likely. But by using safer, modern APIs like URL, axios improves security posture and follows best practices.

Review changelogs for breaking changes if you rely on edge-case behaviors.

Stay patched, stay informed, but don't panic over this one.

Timeline

Published on: 01/29/2025 09:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 01/29/2025 10:15:08 UTC