Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-1321

Allowed

Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')

Abstraction: Variant · Status: Incomplete

The product receives input from an upstream component that specifies attributes that are to be initialized or updated in an object, but it does not properly control modifications of attributes of the object prototype.

781 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-G7WQ-WGGW-VMHG

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-09-24 21:30 – Updated: 2025-09-25 17:32
VLAI
Summary
ts-fns has prototype pollution vulnerability
Details

A prototype pollution vulnerability exists in the ts-fns package versions prior to 13.0.7, where insufficient validation of user-provided keys in the assign function allows attackers to manipulate the Object.prototype chain. By leveraging this flaw, adversaries may inject arbitrary properties into the global object's prototype, potentially leading to application crashes, unexpected code execution behaviors, or bypasses of security-critical validation logic dependent on prototype integrity. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of deep property assignment operations within the library's public API functions. This issue remains unaddressed in the latest available version.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "ts-fns"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "13.1.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2025-57351"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2025-09-25T17:32:34Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-09-24T19:15:40Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A prototype pollution vulnerability exists in the ts-fns package versions prior to 13.0.7, where insufficient validation of user-provided keys in the assign function allows attackers to manipulate the Object.prototype chain. By leveraging this flaw, adversaries may inject arbitrary properties into the global object\u0027s prototype, potentially leading to application crashes, unexpected code execution behaviors, or bypasses of security-critical validation logic dependent on prototype integrity. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of deep property assignment operations within the library\u0027s public API functions. This issue remains unaddressed in the latest available version.",
  "id": "GHSA-g7wq-wggw-vmhg",
  "modified": "2025-09-25T17:32:34Z",
  "published": "2025-09-24T21:30:37Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-57351"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/tangshuang/ts-fns/issues/36"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/VulnSageAgent/PoCs/tree/main/JavaScript/prototype-pollution/CVE-2025-57351"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/tangshuang/ts-fns"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "ts-fns has prototype pollution vulnerability"
}

GHSA-G954-5HWP-PP24

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-28 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-17 15:36
VLAI
Summary
Prototype Pollution in protobufjs
Details

The package protobufjs is vulnerable to Prototype Pollution, which can allow an attacker to add/modify properties of the Object.prototype. Versions after and including 6.10.0 until 6.10.3 and after and including 6.11.0 until 6.11.3 are vulnerable.

This vulnerability can occur in multiple ways: 1. by providing untrusted user input to util.setProperty or to ReflectionObject.setParsedOption functions 2. by parsing/loading .proto files

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "protobufjs"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "6.11.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "6.11.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "protobufjs"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "6.10.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "6.10.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-25878"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2022-06-02T20:36:05Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-05-27T20:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "The package protobufjs is vulnerable to Prototype Pollution, which can allow an attacker to add/modify properties of the Object.prototype. Versions after and including 6.10.0 until 6.10.3 and after and including 6.11.0 until 6.11.3 are vulnerable.\n\nThis vulnerability can occur in multiple ways:\n1. by providing untrusted user input to util.setProperty or to ReflectionObject.setParsedOption functions\n2. by parsing/loading .proto files\n\n\n",
  "id": "GHSA-g954-5hwp-pp24",
  "modified": "2022-08-17T15:36:47Z",
  "published": "2022-05-28T00:00:20Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-25878"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/pull/1731"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/pull/1735"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/commit/b5f1391dff5515894830a6570e6d73f5511b2e8f"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/protobufjs/protobuf.js/blob/d13d5d5688052e366aa2e9169f50dfca376b32cf/src/util.js%23L176-L197"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JAVA-ORGWEBJARSNPM-2841507"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-PROTOBUFJS-2441248"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Prototype Pollution in protobufjs"
}

GHSA-G974-HXVM-X689

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-09-10 06:30 – Updated: 2024-11-18 16:27
VLAI
Summary
node-gettext vulnerable to Prototype Pollution
Details

All versions of the package node-gettext are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the addTranslations() function in gettext.js due to improper user input sanitization.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "node-gettext"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "3.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-21528"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2024-09-10T15:52:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-09-10T05:15:10Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "All versions of the package node-gettext are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution via the addTranslations() function in gettext.js due to improper user input sanitization.",
  "id": "GHSA-g974-hxvm-x689",
  "modified": "2024-11-18T16:27:11Z",
  "published": "2024-09-10T06:30:48Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21528"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/alexanderwallin/node-gettext"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/alexanderwallin/node-gettext/blob/65d9670f691c2eeca40dce129c95bcf8b613d344/lib/gettext.js#L113"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-NODEGETTEXT-6100943"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "node-gettext vulnerable to Prototype Pollution"
}

GHSA-G9CG-H3JM-CWRC

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-03 15:47 – Updated: 2025-09-26 23:12
VLAI
Summary
Prototype Pollution in @hapi/subtext
Details

Versions of @hapi/pez prior to 4.1.2 or 5.0.1 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. A multipart payload can be constructed in a way that one of the parts’ content can be set as the entire payload object’s prototype. If this prototype contains data, it may bypass other validation rules which enforce access and privacy. If this prototype evaluates to null, it can cause unhandled exceptions when the request payload is accessed.

Recommendation

Upgrade to versions 5.0.1 or later. There is a fix available for version 4.1.2, but it only available for direct download from the repository.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "@hapi/pez"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "5.0.1"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T19:00:51Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Versions of `@hapi/pez` prior to 4.1.2 or 5.0.1 are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. A multipart payload can be constructed in a way that one of the parts\u2019 content can be set as the entire payload object\u2019s prototype. If this prototype contains data, it may bypass other validation rules which enforce access and privacy. If this prototype evaluates to null, it can cause unhandled exceptions when the request payload is accessed.\n\n## Recommendation\n\nUpgrade to versions 5.0.1 or later. There is a fix available for version 4.1.2,  but it only available for direct download from the repository.",
  "id": "GHSA-g9cg-h3jm-cwrc",
  "modified": "2025-09-26T23:12:03Z",
  "published": "2020-09-03T15:47:23Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/hapijs/pez"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1480"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [],
  "summary": "Prototype Pollution in @hapi/subtext"
}

GHSA-G9R4-XPMJ-MJ65

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-09-04 15:06 – Updated: 2020-08-31 18:55
VLAI
Summary
Prototype Pollution in handlebars
Details

Versions of handlebars prior to 3.0.8 or 4.5.3 are vulnerable to prototype pollution. It is possible to add or modify properties to the Object prototype through a malicious template. This may allow attackers to crash the application or execute Arbitrary Code in specific conditions.

Recommendation

Upgrade to version 3.0.8, 4.5.3 or later.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "handlebars"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "3.0.8"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "handlebars"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "4.0.0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "4.5.3"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-08-31T18:55:14Z",
    "nvd_published_at": null,
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "Versions of `handlebars` prior to 3.0.8 or 4.5.3 are vulnerable to prototype pollution. It is possible to add or modify properties to the Object prototype through a malicious template. This may allow attackers to crash the application or execute Arbitrary Code in specific conditions.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nUpgrade to version 3.0.8, 4.5.3 or later.",
  "id": "GHSA-g9r4-xpmj-mj65",
  "modified": "2020-08-31T18:55:14Z",
  "published": "2020-09-04T15:06:32Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/1325"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [],
  "summary": "Prototype Pollution in handlebars"
}

GHSA-GC7M-596H-X57R

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-01 15:32 – Updated: 2024-07-05 17:45
VLAI
Summary
frappejs was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function registerView
Details

airvertco frappejs v0.0.11 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function registerView. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "@airvertco/frappejs"
      },
      "versions": [
        "0.0.11"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-38992"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2024-07-01T21:52:53Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-07-01T13:15:04Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "airvertco frappejs v0.0.11 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function registerView. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.",
  "id": "GHSA-gc7m-596h-x57r",
  "modified": "2024-07-05T17:45:27Z",
  "published": "2024-07-01T15:32:11Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38992"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gist.github.com/mestrtee/10c88b9069229979ac7e52e0efc98055"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/frappe/frappejs"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.npmjs.com/package/@airvertco/frappejs"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "frappejs was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function registerView"
}

GHSA-GCX5-3P5F-F8VP

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-03 00:00 – Updated: 2022-03-10 15:53
VLAI
Summary
Prototype Pollution in jquery.cookie
Details

jQuery Cookie 1.4.1 is affected by prototype pollution, which can lead to DOM cross-site scripting (XSS).

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "NuGet",
        "name": "jquery.cookie"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "last_affected": "1.4.1"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-23395"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2022-03-03T19:16:20Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-03-02T12:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "jQuery Cookie 1.4.1 is affected by prototype pollution, which can lead to DOM cross-site scripting (XSS).",
  "id": "GHSA-gcx5-3p5f-f8vp",
  "modified": "2022-03-10T15:53:25Z",
  "published": "2022-03-03T00:00:51Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23395"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220325-0008"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://snyk.io/test/npm/jquery.cookie/1.4.1?tab=issues"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Prototype Pollution in jquery.cookie"
}

GHSA-GFF7-G5R8-MG8M

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-03-23 00:00 – Updated: 2022-03-29 13:08
VLAI
Summary
Prototype Pollution in simple-plist
Details

simple-plist v1.3.0 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution vulnerability via .parse().

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "simple-plist"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "1.3.1"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-26260"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2022-03-29T13:08:19Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-03-22T19:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "simple-plist v1.3.0 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution vulnerability via .parse().",
  "id": "GHSA-gff7-g5r8-mg8m",
  "modified": "2022-03-29T13:08:19Z",
  "published": "2022-03-23T00:00:22Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-26260"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/wollardj/simple-plist/issues/60"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/wollardj/simple-plist/issues/60#issuecomment-1083991840"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/wollardj/simple-plist/commit/670e22fd6e46549a1d32d1065981e0f58eab98d6"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/wollardj/simple-plist"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Prototype Pollution in simple-plist"
}

GHSA-GH4X-QV3P-M9PM

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-01 15:32 – Updated: 2024-07-05 17:41
VLAI
Summary
akbr patch-into was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function patchInto
Details

akbr patch-into version 1.0.1 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function patchInto. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "npm",
        "name": "@akbr/patch-into"
      },
      "versions": [
        "1.0.1"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-38991"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2024-07-01T21:30:34Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-07-01T13:15:04Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "akbr patch-into version 1.0.1 was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function patchInto. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via injecting arbitrary properties.",
  "id": "GHSA-gh4x-qv3p-m9pm",
  "modified": "2024-07-05T17:41:35Z",
  "published": "2024-07-01T15:32:11Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38991"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gist.github.com/mestrtee/8851413e3b33a96f191f0e9c81706532"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "github.com/akbr/patch-into"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "akbr patch-into was discovered to contain a prototype pollution via the function patchInto"
}

GHSA-GHGH-MC9F-W47R

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-06 06:31 – Updated: 2025-02-06 18:31
VLAI
Details

A prototype pollution in the lib function of expand-object v0.4.2 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted payload.

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{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-57069"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-1321"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2025-02-05T22:15:31Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "A prototype pollution in the lib function of expand-object v0.4.2 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via supplying a crafted payload.",
  "id": "GHSA-ghgh-mc9f-w47r",
  "modified": "2025-02-06T18:31:05Z",
  "published": "2025-02-06T06:31:25Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-57069"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://gist.github.com/tariqhawis/68e06b00e3258d0d427257c6906bd300"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation
Implementation

By freezing the object prototype first (for example, Object.freeze(Object.prototype)), modification of the prototype becomes impossible.

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

By blocking modifications of attributes that resolve to object prototype, such as proto or prototype, this weakness can be mitigated.

Mitigation
Implementation

Strategy: Input Validation

When handling untrusted objects, validating using a schema can be used.

Mitigation
Implementation

By using an object without prototypes (via Object.create(null) ), adding object prototype attributes by accessing the prototype via the special attributes becomes impossible, mitigating this weakness.

Mitigation
Implementation

Map can be used instead of objects in most cases. If Map methods are used instead of object attributes, it is not possible to access the object prototype or modify it.

CAPEC-1: Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs

In applications, particularly web applications, access to functionality is mitigated by an authorization framework. This framework maps Access Control Lists (ACLs) to elements of the application's functionality; particularly URL's for web apps. In the case that the administrator failed to specify an ACL for a particular element, an attacker may be able to access it with impunity. An attacker with the ability to access functionality not properly constrained by ACLs can obtain sensitive information and possibly compromise the entire application. Such an attacker can access resources that must be available only to users at a higher privilege level, can access management sections of the application, or can run queries for data that they otherwise not supposed to.

CAPEC-180: Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels

An attacker exploits a weakness in the configuration of access controls and is able to bypass the intended protection that these measures guard against and thereby obtain unauthorized access to the system or network. Sensitive functionality should always be protected with access controls. However configuring all but the most trivial access control systems can be very complicated and there are many opportunities for mistakes. If an attacker can learn of incorrectly configured access security settings, they may be able to exploit this in an attack.

CAPEC-77: Manipulating User-Controlled Variables

This attack targets user controlled variables (DEBUG=1, PHP Globals, and So Forth). An adversary can override variables leveraging user-supplied, untrusted query variables directly used on the application server without any data sanitization. In extreme cases, the adversary can change variables controlling the business logic of the application. For instance, in languages like PHP, a number of poorly set default configurations may allow the user to override variables.