GHSA-mhwj-73qx-jqxm
## Summary `@theecryptochad/merge-guard` versions prior to 1.0.1 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the `deepMerge()` function. An attacker who controls the source object can inject `__proto__` keys that mutate `Object.prototype`, affecting all objects in the Node.js runtime. ## Details The `deepMerge()` function recursively merges two objects without sanitizing reserved property keys (`__proto__`, `constructor`, `prototype`). When a source object contains a `__proto__` key, its value is assigned to `target.__proto__`, which JavaScript engines interpret as a write to `Object.prototype`. ## Proof of Concept ```js const { deepMerge } = require('@theecryptochad/merge-guard'); const payload = JSON.parse('{"__proto__":{"isAdmin":true}}'); deepMerge({}, payload); console.log({}.isAdmin); // true — Object.prototype is polluted ``` ## Impact Any application using `deepMerge()` with untrusted input (e.g. user-supplied JSON from HTTP requests, WebSocket messages, or config files) is vulnerable. An attacker can inject arbitrary properties onto `Object.prototype`, enabling privilege escalation, application logic bypass, and property injection. ## Remediation Upgrade to `@theecryptochad/merge-guard >= 1.0.1`, which adds an explicit blocklist: ```js const BLOCKED = new Set(['__proto__', 'constructor', 'prototype']); if (BLOCKED.has(key)) continue; ``` ## References - [CWE-1321: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Object Keys](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1321.html) - [OWASP: Prototype Pollution](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/Prototype_Pollution) - [Fix commit](https://github.com/TheeCryptoChad/merge-guard/releases/tag/v1.0.1)
Properties
- ghsa_id
- GHSA-mhwj-73qx-jqxm
- severity
- high
- summary
- @theecryptochad/merge-guard has Prototype Pollution in its deepMerge() function
- cvss_score
- 7.5
- cve_id
- GHSA-mhwj-73qx-jqxm
- cvss_vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
- is_ghsa_only
- true
- ghsa_published
- 2026-05-11T16:10:12Z
- source_url
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-mhwj-73qx-jqxm
- ghsa_updated
- 2026-05-11T16:10:13Z
Related Entities (4)
VULNERABLE_TO (1)
AFFECTS (1)
HAS_WEAKNESS (1)
REPORTED_BY (1)
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