i18next-fs-backend vulnerable to prototype pollution via crafted missing-key string

### Impact `i18next-fs-backend` ≤ 2.6.5, when used to persist missing translation keys (e.g. via `i18next-http-middleware`'s `missingKeyHandler` exposed to untrusted input), is vulnerable to prototype pollution via crafted missing-key strings. `Backend.writeFile()` splits each queued missing-key string on the configured `keySeparator` (default `.`) before calling the internal `setPath()` walker. The walker (`getLastOfPath` in `lib/utils.js`) did not guard against unsafe segments, so a key like `"__proto__.polluted"` was split into `["__proto__", "polluted"]` and walked straight into `Object.prototype`, allowing an attacker to write arbitrary properties onto the global object prototype. Depending on the host application, polluted prototype properties may cause crashes, corrupted translation behaviour, configuration poisoning, or bypasses of property-based security checks. ### Affected configuration Applications are directly affected only if **all** of the following hold: - `i18next-fs-backend` ≤ 2.6.5 is configured as the backend. - `i18next-http-middleware`'s `missingKeyHandler` (or another route that forwards untrusted request bodies to `i18next.t(..., { ... })` with `saveMissing: true`) is reachable by untrusted users. - The default behaviour of splitting missing-key strings on `keySeparator` is in use (i.e. `keySeparator` is not `false`). Apps that do not expose missing-key persistence to untrusted input are not directly affected through this attack path. ### Patches Fixed in **i18next-fs-backend 2.6.6**. The traversal helper now refuses to descend through `__proto__`, `constructor`, or `prototype` segments and drops the offending write silently. Legitimate dotted keys (e.g. `"header.title"`) are unaffected. A matching defence-in-depth fix has been shipped in `i18next-http-middleware` **3.9.7** — see the companion advisory. ### Workarounds If users cannot upgrade immediately: - Do not expose `i18next-http-middleware`'s `missingKeyHandler` to untrusted users (mount it behind authentication, or remove the route). - Disable missing-key persistence (`saveMissing: false`, or no `backend.create` implementation) when accepting writes from untrusted input. - Set `keySeparator: false` in the i18next options to disable backend key splitting (note: this also disables nested translation keys). ### Resources - Original report by [@codeswhite](https://github.com/codeswhite). - Companion advisory in `i18next-http-middleware`: [GHSA-f49m-vf83-692w](https://github.com/i18next/i18next-http-middleware/security/advisories/GHSA-f49m-vf83-692w). - Previous `i18next-fs-backend` security release: GHSA-8847-338w-5hcj (path traversal via `lng`/`ns`, fixed in 2.6.4).

Source published

25 Jun 2026 17:28:46 UTC

Source modified

25 Jun 2026 17:56:29 UTC

Observed here

24 Oct 2026 13:17:17 UTC

Source terms

GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0

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This view projects the publisher's source fields for reading; the original JSON retains additional fields and CVE enrichment containers. Attribution: osv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC-BY-4.0. Source text is retained; field grouping and change labels are provided by ChangeIntel.

CVSS_V3 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Publisher rating · CRITICAL