CVE-2025-9288: Fix High Severity Vulnerability In Sha.js

by Axel Sørensen 57 views

Hey guys! Let's dive into a critical security vulnerability that has been identified in the sha.js library, specifically version 2.4.11. This is a big deal because it's a high severity issue, so we need to understand what's going on and how to fix it. This article will break down the vulnerability, its impact, and, most importantly, how to mitigate it within your projects, especially if you're using cloudify-stage or related tools.

Vulnerability Overview: CVE-2025-9288

So, what's the scoop? CVE-2025-9288 is a vulnerability found in the sha.js library, which is used for streamable SHA hashes in pure JavaScript. The affected version is 2.4.11. This vulnerability can lead to serious problems if not addressed. It's categorized as an Improper Input Validation vulnerability, which means it can allow for Input Data Manipulation. In simpler terms, an attacker could potentially mess with the data being processed by sha.js, leading to unexpected and potentially harmful outcomes. Let’s get into the details so you'll fully understand.

Vulnerable Library Details

  • Vulnerable Library: sha.js-2.4.11.tgz
  • Description: Streamable SHA hashes in pure JavaScript.
  • Library Homepage: https://registry.npmjs.org/sha.js/-/sha.js-2.4.11.tgz
  • Path to Dependency File: /package.json
  • Path to Vulnerable Library: /node_modules/sha.js/package.json

Knowing these paths helps us pinpoint where the vulnerability exists in our project's dependencies. If you are working on a large project, this is crucial for efficient remediation.

Dependency Hierarchy

To really understand the impact, we need to look at the dependency chain. In this case, sha.js-2.4.11 is buried within a chain of dependencies:

  • code-coverage-3.9.6.tgz (Root Library)
    • browserify-preprocessor-3.0.1.tgz
      • browserify-16.2.3.tgz
        • shasum-1.0.2.tgz
          • sha.js-2.4.11.tgz (Vulnerable Library)

This hierarchy shows that the vulnerability isn't in a direct dependency of our main project (code-coverage-3.9.6.tgz in this instance), but rather a dependency of a dependency of a dependency! This is why it's super important to use tools that can identify these transitive vulnerabilities. If you're using cloudify-stage, this information helps you trace the issue back to its root and understand the scope of the problem.

Context within cloudify-stage

This vulnerability was found in the ilan-WS/cloudify-stage repository. Specifically:

This context is crucial for teams working on cloudify-stage. Knowing the exact commit and branch helps you quickly assess if your current version is affected.

Vulnerability Details: What Makes CVE-2025-9288 So Serious?

Let’s dig deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability. The core issue is Improper Input Validation. This means that the sha.js library isn't properly checking the input it receives, which can lead to Input Data Manipulation. An attacker might exploit this by providing crafted input that causes the library to behave in an unintended way. The vulnerability affects sha.js versions through 2.4.11.

CVSS 3 Score: Understanding the Severity

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) helps us understand the severity of a vulnerability. CVE-2025-9288 has a CVSS 3 score of 8.7, which is considered High Severity. This score is broken down into several metrics:

Base Score Metrics

  • Exploitability Metrics: These metrics describe how easily the vulnerability can be exploited.
    • Attack Vector: Network: This means the vulnerability can be exploited over a network, making it remotely exploitable.
    • Attack Complexity: High: Exploiting this vulnerability is not trivial; it requires specific conditions to be met, making it a bit harder to exploit but not impossible.
    • Privileges Required: None: An attacker doesn't need any special privileges to exploit this vulnerability.
    • User Interaction: None: No user interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability.
    • Scope: Changed: This indicates that an exploit could affect components beyond the vulnerable component itself.
  • Impact Metrics: These metrics describe the potential impact if the vulnerability is exploited.
    • Confidentiality Impact: None: There's no impact on the confidentiality of data. The vulnerability doesn't allow an attacker to steal sensitive information.
    • Integrity Impact: High: This is a major concern. The vulnerability can lead to data being modified or corrupted. This is the main reason for the high severity score. Imagine if you're using sha.js to verify the integrity of files, and an attacker can manipulate the input – that could lead to disastrous consequences.
    • Availability Impact: High: The vulnerability can also impact the availability of the system. An attacker could potentially cause a denial-of-service (DoS) by exploiting this vulnerability.

For more information on CVSS3 Scores, you can check out the official CVSS calculator here.

Suggested Fix: Upgrading sha.js

Okay, so we know there’s a problem. What’s the solution? The suggested fix is to upgrade to a patched version of sha.js. Here are the details:

  • Type: Upgrade version
  • Release Date: 2025-08-20
  • Fix Resolution (sha.js): 2.4.12
  • Direct dependency fix Resolution (@cypress/code-coverage): 3.9.7

Upgrading to sha.js version 2.4.12 or later will resolve the vulnerability. Additionally, since sha.js is a dependency of @cypress/code-coverage, you should also upgrade @cypress/code-coverage to version 3.9.7 or later. This ensures that the fix is properly applied throughout your dependency tree.

Mitigation Steps: How to Protect Your Project

Now, let’s talk about how you can actually mitigate this vulnerability in your projects. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

  1. Identify Affected Projects: Use dependency scanning tools (like those integrated into Mend.io or similar platforms) to identify which of your projects are using the vulnerable version of sha.js. In the case of cloudify-stage, the information provided earlier helps you quickly determine if your version is affected.
  2. Update Dependencies: The primary mitigation step is to update your dependencies. You have a few options here:

    • Direct Dependency Update: If you directly depend on sha.js, you can simply update the version in your package.json file. For example:

      "dependencies": {
  "sha.js": "^2.4.12"
}

      Then, run npm install or yarn install to update your dependencies.

    • Transitive Dependency Update: If sha.js is a transitive dependency (as it is in the example dependency hierarchy), you might need to update the direct dependency that’s pulling in the vulnerable version. In this case, you'd need to update @cypress/code-coverage.

      "devDependencies": {
  "@cypress/code-coverage": "^3.9.7"
}

      Again, run npm install or yarn install after updating.

    • Using Dependency Management Tools: Tools like npm-force-resolutions or yarn resolutions can help you enforce specific versions of dependencies in your project. This is particularly useful for transitive dependencies.

  3. Verify the Fix: After updating your dependencies, it’s crucial to verify that the vulnerability has been resolved. You can do this by:
    • Re-running Dependency Scans: Use your dependency scanning tools again to confirm that the vulnerability is no longer flagged.
    • Testing Your Application: Ensure that the update hasn’t introduced any regressions in your application. Run your test suite to verify that everything is still working as expected.
  4. Continuous Monitoring: Vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered, so it’s essential to continuously monitor your dependencies for new issues. Incorporate dependency scanning into your CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities early.

Real-World Impact and Scenarios

To really drive home the importance of this, let's consider some real-world scenarios where this vulnerability could have a significant impact:

  • Data Integrity: Imagine a system that uses sha.js to generate checksums for files to ensure their integrity. If an attacker can manipulate the input to sha.js, they could potentially tamper with files without detection. This could lead to corrupted data being stored or distributed.
  • Authentication Systems: In some cases, SHA hashes are used in authentication systems. If an attacker can manipulate the hashing process, they might be able to bypass authentication mechanisms, gaining unauthorized access to systems or data.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Vulnerabilities in commonly used libraries like sha.js can be exploited in supply chain attacks. An attacker could introduce malicious code into a vulnerable library, which then gets distributed to countless projects that depend on it.

These scenarios highlight why it's crucial to take vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-9288 seriously and to implement effective mitigation strategies.

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant and Update!

CVE-2025-9288 is a high severity vulnerability that needs to be addressed promptly. By understanding the vulnerability, its impact, and the suggested fix, you can take the necessary steps to protect your projects. Remember, staying vigilant and keeping your dependencies up to date is crucial for maintaining the security of your applications. Don't wait – take action today to mitigate this vulnerability and keep your projects safe!

By upgrading sha.js and potentially its parent dependencies like @cypress/code-coverage, you're taking a huge step in securing your application. Keep an eye on those dependencies, guys, and happy coding!