CVE-2024-38986 is a critical security vulnerability classified as prototype pollution in the deep-merge 1.1.1 JavaScript library. Prototype pollution occurs when an attacker can inject or modify properties on the Object prototype, which is the base from which all JavaScript objects inherit. This can lead to unexpected behavior, including arbitrary code execution or Denial of Service (DoS). The vulnerability specifically affects the merge methods used by deep-merge and lodash libraries, which are popular tools for merging objects in JavaScript applications. These methods do not adequately sanitize or validate input objects, allowing crafted inputs to manipulate the prototype chain. Exploiting this flaw requires no authentication or user interaction and can be performed remotely, making it highly dangerous. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, corrupt application logic, or crash applications. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the high CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability. The CWE-1321 classification highlights the improper handling of prototype pollution. This vulnerability affects any application or service that uses deep-merge 1.1.1 or lodash merge functions without proper safeguards, particularly in Node.js environments and web applications that rely on these libraries for object manipulation.

The impact of CVE-2024-38986 is severe for organizations worldwide that utilize JavaScript libraries such as deep-merge and lodash for object merging. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to take full control of affected systems, steal sensitive data, or pivot within networks. Additionally, Denial of Service attacks can disrupt critical services, causing downtime and operational losses. The vulnerability undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of applications, potentially affecting web servers, APIs, backend services, and any software components that rely on these libraries. Given the widespread use of JavaScript and these libraries in modern web development, the scope of affected systems is broad, including enterprise applications, cloud services, and IoT devices. The lack of authentication or user interaction requirements lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the likelihood of exploitation once a public exploit becomes available. Organizations may face regulatory and reputational damage if exploited, especially those in sectors handling sensitive or critical data.

To mitigate CVE-2024-38986, organizations should immediately audit their software dependencies to identify usage of deep-merge 1.1.1 and lodash merge functions. Since no official patch links are currently available, developers should consider the following specific actions: (1) Upgrade to a patched version of deep-merge or lodash once released; (2) Temporarily replace deep-merge with alternative, secure libraries that properly sanitize input objects; (3) Implement input validation and sanitization to prevent untrusted data from reaching merge functions; (4) Employ runtime protections such as JavaScript sandboxing or application firewalls to detect and block prototype pollution attempts; (5) Conduct thorough code reviews focusing on object merging logic; (6) Monitor application logs and behavior for anomalies indicative of prototype pollution exploitation; (7) Educate development teams about prototype pollution risks and secure coding practices. Additionally, organizations should maintain an inventory of all JavaScript dependencies and integrate automated vulnerability scanning into their CI/CD pipelines to detect vulnerable versions proactively.