CVE-2013-6495 in Bayeux
Summary
by MITRE
JBossWeb Bayeux has reflected XSS
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6495 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within JBossWeb Bayeux, a component of the JBoss Application Server ecosystem that provides WebSocket and Bayeux protocol support for real-time web applications. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input within the Bayeux protocol implementation, which is commonly used for building real-time web applications with server push capabilities. The flaw exists in how the server processes and returns user-supplied data without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the JBossWeb Bayeux component. When user-provided data is received through Bayeux protocol messages or HTTP parameters and subsequently reflected back to the client without proper HTML escaping or sanitization, attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute within the victim's browser context. This typically occurs when the server returns user input directly in HTTP response headers, URL parameters, or response body content without appropriate encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws due to insufficient input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6495 extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web applications, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted URL or HTTP request containing malicious JavaScript code that would be executed when other users access the vulnerable application. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather injected through the request itself, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6495 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the JBossWeb Bayeux component. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or encoded before being reflected back to clients, particularly when handling Bayeux protocol messages. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters or rejects potentially malicious content and applying appropriate HTML encoding to any data that must be returned to the client. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization, particularly in real-time web application frameworks that handle dynamic content and user interactions through protocols like Bayeux. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input/output handling within web application components are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.