CVE-2014-0046 in Ember.js
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the link-to helper in Ember.js 1.2.x before 1.2.2, 1.3.x before 1.3.2, and 1.4.x before 1.4.0-beta.6, when used in non-block form, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the title attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The CVE-2014-0046 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Ember.js JavaScript framework that specifically affects versions prior to the mentioned patches. This vulnerability resides within the link-to helper functionality, which is a core component used for creating navigation links within Ember applications. The issue manifests when the link-to helper is utilized in non-block form, making it particularly dangerous as it affects common navigation patterns throughout web applications built with this framework.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization of the title attribute parameter within the link-to helper implementation. When developers pass user-provided content or untrusted data into the title attribute of a link-to helper call, the framework fails to properly escape or validate this input before rendering it into the HTML output. This oversight creates an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they encounter the compromised links. The vulnerability specifically impacts the non-block form of the helper, where the title attribute is processed differently than in block form, making it more susceptible to injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Since Ember.js is widely adopted for building complex web applications, the potential attack surface is substantial. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code that executes in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability affects applications that rely on user-generated content or dynamic link titles, making it particularly dangerous in content management systems, forums, and social media platforms built with Ember.js.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of insufficient output escaping in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering through malicious links. The exploitation typically occurs when applications fail to implement proper input validation and output encoding for user-supplied data. Organizations using Ember.js versions affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing proper input sanitization, and employing content security policies to limit the impact of potential XSS attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in modern web frameworks, particularly when handling dynamic content in navigation elements.
The remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Ember.js where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization of the title attribute. Additionally, developers should implement defensive programming practices including explicit HTML escaping for any user-provided content passed to helper functions, and conduct regular security reviews of template rendering logic. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.