CVE-2007-2379 in jQuery
Summary
by MITRE
The jQuery framework exchanges data using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) without an associated protection scheme, which allows remote attackers to obtain the data via a web page that retrieves the data through a URL in the SRC attribute of a SCRIPT element and captures the data using other JavaScript code, aka "JavaScript Hijacking."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2379 represents a critical security flaw in the jQuery JavaScript framework that emerged during an era when web applications were rapidly adopting AJAX technologies for dynamic content delivery. This issue specifically affects how jQuery handles JSON data exchange operations, creating a significant exposure that adversaries could exploit to access sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from the framework's default behavior of returning raw JSON data without implementing any form of data protection or validation mechanisms, making it susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks that leverage the inherent trust relationships between web browsers and script execution contexts.
The technical flaw manifests when jQuery applications use JSON data retrieval methods without proper security considerations, particularly in scenarios where JSON responses are served directly to client-side scripts. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages that include a script element with a source URL pointing to a vulnerable jQuery endpoint, then use JavaScript code to capture and exfiltrate the returned JSON data. The vulnerability operates through the fundamental browser behavior where script elements can execute code from external sources, creating a pathway for data interception that bypasses traditional security measures. This type of attack is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to CWE-352 as "Cross-Site Request Forgery" when considering the broader context of unauthorized data access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to harvest sensitive user data, session information, and application state details that are typically protected by proper security controls. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows for JavaScript Hijacking attacks that can compromise user privacy and application integrity, potentially leading to more severe consequences including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to protected resources. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal sophistication from threat actors and can be automated through simple web page modifications, making it a preferred target for mass exploitation campaigns that align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Malicious Attachments" and T1071.004 for "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" when considering the broader attack chain that might involve DNS-based data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2379 require immediate implementation of proper data protection measures that align with modern security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution from untrusted sources, utilize JSONP callbacks with proper validation mechanisms, and ensure that all data exchanges include appropriate authentication and authorization checks. The recommended approach involves updating jQuery framework versions to those that implement proper security measures, implementing server-side validation of all JSON responses, and employing proper CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) policies that limit which domains can access sensitive data endpoints. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that include input validation, output encoding, and the principle of least privilege when designing AJAX-enabled applications, as these measures directly address the underlying security weaknesses that enable this class of vulnerability to exist.