CVE-2014-0014 in Ember.js
Summary
by MITRE
Ember.js 1.0.x before 1.0.1, 1.1.x before 1.1.3, 1.2.x before 1.2.1, 1.3.x before 1.3.1, and 1.4.x before 1.4.0-beta.2 allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by leveraging an application using the "{{group}}" Helper and a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0014 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Ember.js JavaScript framework that affected multiple version lines including 1.0.x through 1.4.x. This vulnerability specifically targets applications utilizing the "{{group}}" helper functionality within the framework's templating system. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious payloads passed through the group helper, creating an exploitable vector for remote attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects widely used version ranges of the framework, potentially exposing numerous applications to persistent XSS attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Ember.js processes template helpers, specifically the group helper that aggregates and displays data in structured formats. When applications utilize this helper with user-provided data that is not properly sanitized, the framework fails to adequately escape or validate the input before rendering it within the DOM. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed through the group helper, execute unintended JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Applications using Ember.js with the affected helper functionality become susceptible to attacks that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal privileges from the attacker, who only needs to inject a malicious payload through a parameter that gets processed by the group helper. This vulnerability affects not just individual applications but creates a systemic risk across the Ember.js ecosystem, as many applications may unknowingly implement the vulnerable helper without proper input validation.
Organizations and developers should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Ember.js, specifically versions 1.0.1, 1.1.3, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, and 1.4.0-beta.2 or later. The recommended approach involves comprehensive input validation and sanitization of all data passed to template helpers, particularly those that aggregate or display user-provided content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web frameworks and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credential exposure, as attackers can leverage XSS to obtain user sessions and credentials. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews to identify any other instances where similar helper functions might be processing unsanitized user input, as this vulnerability could potentially exist in other framework components that handle similar templating operations.