CVE-2014-1403 in easyXDM
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in name.html in easyXDM before 2.4.19 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the location.hash value.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1403 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the easyXDM library, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.4.19. This issue resides in the name.html file which serves as a communication endpoint for cross-domain messaging operations. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes the location.hash value from the browser's URL fragment identifier, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The flaw fundamentally stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the hash parameter, which is commonly used for passing data between different domains in cross-origin communication scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the URL fragment identifier, where attackers craft malicious hash values that get processed by the vulnerable easyXDM library. When the library parses the location.hash value without proper sanitization, it inadvertently executes injected scripts within the context of the victim's browser session. This allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate cross-domain communication mechanisms that easyXDM provides, making the attack vector appear trustworthy to the browser's security model.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to web applications that rely on easyXDM for cross-origin communication, particularly those handling sensitive user data or implementing authentication mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can exploit the XSS to bypass security controls that depend on proper origin validation. The vulnerability affects applications that use easyXDM for communication between different domains or subdomains, making it particularly relevant in modern web architectures that frequently employ microservices, single sign-on implementations, and distributed application components. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. It also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the use of JavaScript within web browsers. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 2.4.19 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and validation for the location.hash parameter. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, using proper input validation at all levels of the application stack, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious hash values. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing of all cross-domain communication components and establish secure coding practices that emphasize input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure cross-domain communication libraries in modern web applications. Many organizations rely on third-party libraries for handling complex security scenarios, but this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in these components can create significant security risks. The attack vector specifically targets the URL fragment identifier, which is often overlooked in security testing compared to more commonly scrutinized parameters like query strings or form data. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that security testing must encompass all potential input vectors, including those that are part of standard web browser functionality and commonly used in legitimate cross-domain communication patterns.