CVE-2024-14020 identifies a prototype pollution vulnerability in the carboneio carbone library, specifically in the Formatter Handler component's lib/input.js file. Prototype pollution occurs when an attacker can manipulate the prototype of a base object, potentially altering the behavior of all objects inheriting from it. This vulnerability allows an attacker to improperly modify object prototype attributes remotely, which can lead to unexpected behavior or security issues in applications using carbone. However, exploitation is complex and difficult, requiring the parent NodeJS application to also have a similar security weakness. The vulnerability affects carbone versions up to commit fbcd349077ad0e8748be73eab2a82ea92b6f8a7e and is resolved in version 3.5.6. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently in the wild. The vulnerability's root cause is insufficient validation or control over prototype attribute modifications in the Formatter Handler, which could be leveraged in complex attack scenarios to manipulate application logic or cause denial of service.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-14020 is generally low due to the high complexity of exploitation and the requirement that the parent NodeJS application also be vulnerable. However, if exploited, it could lead to prototype pollution, potentially allowing attackers to alter application behavior, cause crashes, or escalate privileges within the application context. Organizations relying on carbone for document generation or formatting in critical workflows could face service disruptions or data integrity issues. Given the remote attack vector, exposed services using vulnerable carbone versions could be targeted. The low CVSS score reflects limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, but the risk increases if chained with other vulnerabilities. European enterprises with NodeJS-based infrastructures should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments, especially those in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government where document processing is integral.

To mitigate CVE-2024-14020, European organizations should immediately upgrade carbone to version 3.5.6 or later, which contains the patch 04f9feb24bfca23567706392f9ad2c53bbe4134e addressing the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should audit their NodeJS applications to identify any other prototype pollution weaknesses, as exploitation requires the parent application to be vulnerable. Implement strict input validation and sanitization in applications using carbone to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the Formatter Handler. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or behavior monitoring to detect anomalous prototype modifications. Regularly update dependencies and monitor vulnerability advisories for carbone and related libraries. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) can help block suspicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Finally, conduct security code reviews focusing on object prototype handling to prevent similar issues.