CVE-2025-57317 identifies a Prototype Pollution vulnerability in the apidoc-core library, which is a core parser used to generate API documentation results according to the apidoc-spec. The vulnerability exists in the preProcess function of apidoc-core versions up to 0.15.0. Prototype Pollution occurs when an attacker is able to inject or modify properties on JavaScript's Object.prototype, which is the base object from which all objects inherit properties. By supplying a crafted payload, an attacker can manipulate the prototype chain, potentially altering the behavior of the application or causing unintended side effects. In this specific case, the minimum consequence reported is a denial of service (DoS), which could manifest as application crashes, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion due to corrupted object states. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability is significant because prototype pollution can sometimes be escalated to more severe impacts such as remote code execution or privilege escalation, depending on the application context. The lack of a CVSS score and absence of patch links suggest that this vulnerability is newly disclosed and may not yet have an official fix. The vulnerability affects all versions of apidoc-core up to 0.15.0, but the exact range is unspecified. Given that apidoc-core is a widely used tool in API documentation generation, especially in JavaScript/Node.js environments, this vulnerability could affect many development and CI/CD pipelines that rely on it for automated documentation generation.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for those heavily reliant on JavaScript-based development environments and automated API documentation tools. A successful exploitation leading to denial of service could disrupt development workflows, continuous integration processes, and documentation availability, potentially delaying software releases and impacting operational efficiency. In environments where apidoc-core is integrated into production systems or exposed services, the DoS could also affect service availability, leading to reputational damage and compliance issues, especially under regulations like GDPR that mandate service reliability and data integrity. Moreover, if attackers leverage this prototype pollution vulnerability as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, such as injecting malicious code or escalating privileges within development or staging environments, the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive codebases and intellectual property could be compromised. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure in Europe, where software integrity and availability are paramount.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first identify all instances of apidoc-core usage within their development and production environments. Immediate steps include: 1) Reviewing and restricting input validation in any components that interact with apidoc-core to prevent crafted payloads from reaching the preProcess function. 2) Applying strict sandboxing or containerization for build and documentation generation processes to limit the impact of potential DoS conditions. 3) Monitoring resource usage and application logs for unusual behavior indicative of prototype pollution exploitation attempts. 4) Engaging with the apidoc-core maintainers or community to obtain or contribute patches addressing this vulnerability. 5) Considering temporary replacement or isolation of apidoc-core in critical pipelines until a secure version is available. 6) Incorporating static and dynamic analysis tools that can detect prototype pollution patterns during development and testing phases. 7) Educating developers about the risks of prototype pollution and secure coding practices to avoid similar vulnerabilities in custom code.