# CVE-2020-7719: locutus prototype pollution in parse_str

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-7719-locutus-prototype-pollution-in-parse-str  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-05-06. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-7719 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2021-05-06

Locutus is a JavaScript library that provides PHP-compatible string and array manipulation functions for JavaScript developers. A prototype pollution vulnerability in the parse_str function allows attackers to inject arbitrary properties into JavaScript objects, potentially leading to code execution or application malfunction depending on how the application uses the affected library.

Technologies: [locutus (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/locutus). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-7719 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2020-7719 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2020-7719?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 6 May 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** locutus (npm) SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=2.0.12.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-7719?** Yes. locutus (npm): upgrade to 2.0.12 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2020-7719 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-7719?** Check whether you run locutus (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- locutus (npm): upgrade to 2.0.12 or later

  ```sh
  npm install locutus@2.0.12
  ```


## Technical details

Locutus versions prior to 2.0.12 are vulnerable to prototype pollution via the php.strings.parse_str function. The vulnerability occurs when processing untrusted input that is parsed as URL-encoded query strings, allowing an attacker to inject malicious property names (e.g., __proto__, constructor) that modify the Object prototype. This is a CWE-1321 / CWE-915 vulnerability requiring only network access and no authentication. An attacker can poison the prototype chain to affect all objects in the application's runtime, potentially leading to privilege escalation, code execution, or denial of service. The vulnerability was patched in version 2.0.12, available via pull request #418.

## Affected products

- locutus locutus all versions prior to 2.0.12

## Identifiers

- CVE-2020-7719
- GHSA-f98m-q3hr-p5wq

## Timeline

- 2020-09-01: disclosed
- 2020-09-03: patched: Security fix merged in PR #418
- 2021-05-06: advisory: GHSA advisory published

## References

- [https://github.com/kvz/locutus/pull/418](https://github.com/kvz/locutus/pull/418)

## Related threats

- [Locutus prototype pollution in parse_str](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-33994-locutus-prototype-pollution-in-parse-str)
- [Locutus prototype pollution via __proto__ injection in unserialize](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-33993-locutus-prototype-pollution-via-proto-injection-in-unserialize)
- [Locutus code injection in create_function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-32304-locutus-code-injection-in-create-function)
- [Locutus remote code execution in call_user_func_array](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-29091-locutus-remote-code-execution-in-call-user-func-array)
- [Locutus prototype pollution in parse_str function](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-25521-locutus-prototype-pollution-in-parse-str-function)