Locutus brings stdlibs of other programming languages to JavaScript for educational purposes. Prior to version 3.0.25, the `unserialize()` function in `locutus/php/var/unserialize` assigns deserialized keys to plain objects via bracket notation without filtering the `__proto__` key. When a PHP serialized payload contains `__proto__` as an array or object key, JavaScript's `__proto__` setter is invoked, replacing the deserialized object's prototype with attacker-controlled content. This enables property injection, for...in propagation of injected properties, and denial of service via built-in method override. This is distinct from the previously reported prototype pollution in `parse_str` (GHSA-f98m-q3hr-p5wq, GHSA-rxrv-835q-v5mh) — `unserialize` is a different function with no mitigation applied. Version 3.0.25 patches the issue.
Locutus brings stdlibs of other programming languages to JavaScript for educational purposes. Starting in version 2.0.39 and prior to version 3.0.25, a prototype pollution vulnerability exists in the `parse_str` function of the npm package locutus. An attacker can pollute `Object.prototype` by overriding `RegExp.prototype.test` and then passing a crafted query string to `parse_str`, bypassing the prototype pollution guard. This vulnerability stems from an incomplete fix for CVE-2026-25521. The CVE-2026-25521 patch replaced the `String.prototype.includes()`-based guard with a `RegExp.prototype.test()`-based guard. However, `RegExp.prototype.test` is itself a writable prototype method that can be overridden, making the new guard bypassable in the same way as the original — trading one hijackable built-in for another. Version 3.0.25 contains an updated fix.