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CVE-2018-3751

Prototype Pollution in merge-recursive

9.8 Critical

The utilities function in all versions <= 0.3.0 of the merge-recursive 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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
None
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Exploit likelihood

1.43%Up 1.0 points since Apr 14, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

NVD Score used 9.8

The utilities function in all versions <= 0.3.0 of the merge-recursive 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.

Record
CVE-2018-3751
CVSS 3.0
9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0
7.5 HighAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness
CWE-20
Updated
2026-11-02
CVE List No score

The utilities function in all versions <= 0.3.0 of the merge-recursive 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.

Record
CVE-2018-3751
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2018-0453 No score

The utilities function in all versions <= 0.3.0 of the merge-recursive 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.

Record
EUVD-2018-0453
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-cvxm-f295-x957 9.8

Prototype Pollution in merge-recursive

All versions of merge-recursive are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. When malicious user input is merged with another object it allows the attacker to modify the prototype of Object via __proto__ causing the addition or modification of an existing property.

Proof of concept:

var merge = require('merge-recursive').recursive;
var malicious_payload = '{"__proto__":{"oops":"It works !"}}';

var a = {};
console.log("Before : " + a.oops);
merge({}, JSON.parse(malicious_payload));
console.log("After : " + a.oops);

Recommendation

There is currently no fix available.

Record
GHSA-cvxm-f295-x957
CVSS 3.0
9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-20
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-cvxm-f295-x957 9.8

Prototype Pollution in merge-recursive

All versions of merge-recursive are vulnerable to Prototype Pollution. When malicious user input is merged with another object it allows the attacker to modify the prototype of Object via __proto__ causing the addition or modification of an existing property.

Proof of concept:

var merge = require('merge-recursive').recursive;
var malicious_payload = '{"__proto__":{"oops":"It works !"}}';

var a = {};
console.log("Before : " + a.oops);
merge({}, JSON.parse(malicious_payload));
console.log("After : " + a.oops);

Recommendation

There is currently no fix available.

Record
GHSA-cvxm-f295-x957
CVSS 3.0
9.8 CriticalCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-20
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
merge-recursive
npm
through 0.0.3 None known

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2018-3751 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Umbraengineering Merge-recursive, published July 3, 2018. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.43%, the 73rd percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

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