Summary
Prototype pollution in object-path
Workarounds
Don't use the includeInheritedProps: true options or the withInheritedProps instance if using a version >= 0.11.0.
References
Read more about the prototype pollution vulnerability
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in object-path
Impact
A prototype pollution vulnerability has been found in object-path <= 0.11.4 affecting the set() method. The vulnerability is limited to the includeInheritedProps mode (if version >= 0.11.0 is used), which has to be explicitly enabled by creating a new instance of object-path and setting the option includeInheritedProps: true, or by using the default withInheritedProps instance. The default operating mode is not affected by the vulnerability if version >= 0.11.0 is used. Any usage of set() in versions < 0.11.0 is vulnerable.
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-2020-15256 has a CVSS score of 7.7 (High). 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. A fixed version is available (0.11.5); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
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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See it in your environmentNew to Kodem? Get a demo →Remediation advice
Upgrade to version >= 0.11.5
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2020-15256? CVE-2020-15256 is a high-severity improper input validation vulnerability in object-path (npm), affecting versions < 0.11.5. It is fixed in 0.11.5. The application does not adequately validate input before processing it, allowing unexpected values to reach sensitive code paths.
- How severe is CVE-2020-15256? CVE-2020-15256 has a CVSS score of 7.7 (High). 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 object-path are affected by CVE-2020-15256? object-path (npm) versions < 0.11.5 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2020-15256? Yes. CVE-2020-15256 is fixed in 0.11.5. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2020-15256 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2020-15256 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-2020-15256 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-2020-15256? Upgrade
object-pathto 0.11.5 or later.