CVE-2014-8683 in Gogs
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in models/issue.go in Gogs (aka Go Git Service) 0.3.1-9 through 0.5.x before 0.5.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the text parameter to api/v1/markdown.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8683 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Gogs git service platform, specifically within the issue management component. This vulnerability affects versions 0.3.1-9 through 0.5.x before 0.5.8, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this open-source git service for collaborative development environments. The flaw manifests in the models/issue.go file where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to web clients, enabling malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of victim browsers.
The technical exploitation occurs through the api/v1/markdown endpoint where the text parameter fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. When users submit content containing malicious script tags or HTML elements through the markdown API, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability specifically targets the markdown processing functionality, which is commonly used for issue descriptions, comments, and documentation within git platforms, making it particularly dangerous for collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft malicious markdown content that, when viewed by other users, executes scripts to steal cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Gogs' issue tracking system, potentially compromising the integrity of project documentation and user interactions. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized access to sensitive project information, as the XSS flaw can be leveraged to access user sessions and perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8683 primarily involve immediate version upgrades to Gogs 0.5.8 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes strict sanitization before being stored or rendered. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while proper output encoding for HTML contexts prevents malicious code from executing even if input validation is bypassed. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any instances of similar vulnerabilities in custom applications that utilize markdown processing or similar user input handling mechanisms, as the underlying architectural flaw remains relevant for modern web applications.