CVE-2024-39002 is a prototype pollution vulnerability identified in the jsonic-next library version 2.12.1, specifically within the util.clone function. Prototype pollution occurs when an attacker is able to manipulate the prototype of a base object, thereby injecting or modifying properties that affect all objects inheriting from that prototype. In this case, the vulnerability allows attackers to inject arbitrary properties into JavaScript objects, which can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have some level of privileges (PR:L) and can be exploited remotely (AV:N) without user interaction (UI:N). The attack complexity is low (AC:L), meaning exploitation does not require sophisticated conditions. The CVSS vector indicates that the scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (C:L/I:L/A:L). This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-94, which relates to code injection issues. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of prototype pollution vulnerabilities often makes them attractive targets for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or disrupt services. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting means that affected users must rely on temporary mitigations such as input sanitization and restricting the use of untrusted data in cloning operations. Given the widespread use of JavaScript and Node.js libraries in modern web applications, this vulnerability could have a broad impact if exploited.

The potential impact of CVE-2024-39002 includes unauthorized code execution and denial of service, which can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Organizations using the jsonic-next library in their applications may face risks of attackers injecting malicious properties that alter application behavior or crash services. This could lead to data breaches, service outages, or further exploitation chains. Since the vulnerability requires some privileges, attackers might leverage it as part of a multi-stage attack to escalate access or persist within a system. The medium CVSS score reflects a moderate risk, but the real-world impact depends on the deployment context and whether the vulnerable function processes untrusted input. Enterprises relying on Node.js ecosystems, especially those in sectors like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce where data integrity and availability are critical, could experience significant operational disruptions or reputational damage if exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-39002, organizations should monitor for updates or patches from the jsonic-next maintainers and apply them promptly once available. In the absence of a patch, developers should audit their code to identify and restrict the use of the util.clone function with untrusted input. Implement strict input validation and sanitization to prevent injection of malicious properties. Employ runtime protections such as sandboxing or object freezing to limit prototype modifications. Additionally, conduct thorough code reviews and use static analysis tools to detect prototype pollution patterns. Where feasible, consider replacing or isolating the vulnerable library with safer alternatives. Maintain robust monitoring and logging to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, educate development teams about prototype pollution risks and secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.