CVE-2021-20089Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Object prototype pollution via unchecked URL key paths

Published Apr 23, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Prototype pollution in Purl 2.3.2 allows attackers to modify Object.prototype via crafted URL query or fragment parameters. The parseString, merge, and recursive parse functions process decoded key paths without rejecting proto or constructor[prototype], allowing assignments to traverse inherited objects. Exploitation requires an application to parse attacker-controlled URL data; downstream consequences depend on code that consumes polluted inherited properties.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.61%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Prototype pollution in Purl 2.3.2 allows attackers to modify Object.prototype via crafted URL query or fragment parameters. The parseString, merge, and recursive parse functions process decoded key paths without rejecting proto or constructor[prototype], allowing assignments to traverse inherited objects. Exploitation requires an application to parse attacker-controlled URL data; downstream consequences depend on code that consumes polluted inherited properties.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20089
Published
Apr 23, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Purl Project
Product
Purl
Classifications
CWE-1321
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 23, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.3.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Purl Project · Purlversion=2.3.2

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-1321Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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