Qs is a popular npm package used for parsing and stringifying URL query strings with support for nested objects and arrays. Version 6.9.1 and 6.9.0 are both stable releases focusing on providing a reliable querystring parsing solution for Node.js and browsers. Comparing the two versions, the key difference lies in the devDependencies. Specifically, version 6.9.1 upgrades eslint from version 6.4.0 to 6.6.0, and @ljharb/eslint-config from version 14.1.0 to 15.0.0.
This means that the tooling used for linting and maintaining code quality has been updated, potentially leading to more robust code in the long run. While these changes are not directly reflected in the public API or core functionality, they highlight a commitment to code quality and adherence to modern JavaScript standards. The small increase in unpacked size and more recent release date of version 6.9.1 hints at minor internal improvements or bug fixes that may have accompanied the tooling updates.
For developers using the library, both versions provide a consistent and dependable querystring parsing experience. However, staying up-to-date with the latest minor version, like 6.9.1, ensures you're benefiting from any improvements in code quality and stability brought about by updated development dependencies. These improvements do contribute to the overall stability and maintainability of the library which indirectly benefits developers using it. The qs package, in general, is valuable in handling complex query parameters within web applications, streamlining data processing that arrives via URLs.
All the vulnerabilities related to the version 6.9.1 of the package
qs vulnerable to Prototype Pollution
qs before 6.10.3 allows attackers to cause a Node process hang because an __ proto__
key can be used. In many typical web framework use cases, an unauthenticated remote attacker can place the attack payload in the query string of the URL that is used to visit the application, such as a[__proto__]=b&a[__proto__]&a[length]=100000000
. The fix was backported to qs 6.9.7, 6.8.3, 6.7.3, 6.6.1, 6.5.3, 6.4.1, 6.3.3, and 6.2.4.