CVE-2013-4378 in JavaMelody
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HtmlSessionInformationsReport.java in JavaMelody 1.46 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted X-Forwarded-For header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2015
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4378 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the JavaMelody monitoring toolkit version 1.46 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the HtmlSessionInformationsReport.java component which processes HTTP headers for session information reporting. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the X-Forwarded-For header parameter, which is commonly used by web applications to determine the original IP address of a client when requests pass through proxies or load balancers. This header injection vector creates a significant security risk as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious X-Forwarded-For header containing script tags or other HTML content that gets processed and rendered within the JavaMelody web interface. Since the application fails to properly sanitize this input before displaying it in the HTML output, any malicious content becomes persistent and executable within the browser context of authenticated users. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS vulnerability where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the application's response. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper sanitization of all user-supplied data regardless of its source within web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, and potentially gain deeper access to the underlying system. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to create persistent backdoors, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute data exfiltration operations. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where JavaMelody is used for monitoring sensitive applications or systems, as the tool typically requires elevated privileges and access to system information. Organizations using vulnerable versions of JavaMelody face potential exposure of session tokens, user credentials, and other confidential data that may be processed through the monitoring interface. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, demonstrating how header manipulation can serve as an attack vector in modern web application security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through updating to JavaMelody version 1.47 or later where the XSS protection mechanisms have been implemented. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding for all HTTP headers, particularly those that are not directly user-controlled but may contain user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution. Regular security assessments of web applications should include verification of input sanitization practices for all HTTP headers, and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious header content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all input sources within web applications, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on input validation as a fundamental security control.