What is CVE-2018-3753?

CVE-2018-3753 is a critical-severity improper input validation vulnerability in merge-object (npm), affecting versions <= 1.0.0. No fixed version is listed yet. The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths.

How severe is CVE-2018-3753?

CVE-2018-3753 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Which versions of merge-object are affected by CVE-2018-3753?

merge-object (npm) versions <= 1.0.0 is affected.

Is there a fix for CVE-2018-3753?

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2018-3753 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.

Is CVE-2018-3753 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

What actually determines whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

CVE-2018-3753 in merge-object

Q: How severe is CVE-2018-3753?

CVE-2018-3753 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.

Q: Which versions of merge-object are affected by CVE-2018-3753?

merge-object (npm) versions <= 1.0.0 is affected.

Q: Is there a fix for CVE-2018-3753?

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2018-3753 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.

Q: Is CVE-2018-3753 exploitable, and should I be worried?

Whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk.

Q: What actually determines whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable, and how bad it is?

Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-3753?

No fixed version is listed yet. In the interim: Validate all external input against an allowlist of expected values, types, and ranges before processing.

Summary

Prototype Pollution in async merge-object

The utilities function in all versions of the merge-object node module can be tricked into modifying the prototype of Object when the attacker can control part of the structure passed to this function. This can let an attacker add or modify existing properties that will exist on all objects.

Impact

The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths. Typical impact: varies by context: data corruption, logic bypass, or denial of service.

CVE-2018-3753 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. No fixed version is listed yet, so configuration controls and monitoring matter more in the interim.

Affected versions

merge-object (<= 1.0.0)

Security releases

Not available

Kodem intelligence

Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.

Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.

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Remediation advice

No fixed version is listed for CVE-2018-3753 yet.

In the interim: Validate all external input against an allowlist of expected values, types, and ranges before processing.

Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-3753? CVE-2018-3753 is a critical-severity improper input validation vulnerability in merge-object (npm), affecting versions <= 1.0.0. No fixed version is listed yet. The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths.
How severe is CVE-2018-3753? CVE-2018-3753 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
Which versions of merge-object are affected by CVE-2018-3753? merge-object (npm) versions <= 1.0.0 is affected.
Is there a fix for CVE-2018-3753? No fixed version is listed for CVE-2018-3753 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.
Is CVE-2018-3753 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
What actually determines whether CVE-2018-3753 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
How do I fix CVE-2018-3753? No fixed version is listed yet. In the interim: Validate all external input against an allowlist of expected values, types, and ranges before processing.