CVE-2015-10072 in api-umbrella-web
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2023
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in NREL api-umbrella-web 0.7.1. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Flash Message Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 0.8.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is bcc0e922c61d30367678c8f17a435950969315cd. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-220060.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2023
This vulnerability resides within the NREL api-umbrella-web 0.7.1 software, specifically within the Flash Message Handler component, representing a classic cross site scripting flaw that poses significant security risks to web applications. The vulnerability is categorized as problematic due to its potential for malicious exploitation through remote attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where user interaction is common. The issue stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the flash message handling mechanism, which fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the flaw without requiring physical access to the system, making it accessible through web-based attack surfaces.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the Flash Message Handler processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an opening for malicious script injection. When legitimate users encounter the crafted flash messages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which can then access session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines cross site scripting as the failure to properly encode output, allowing attackers to inject malicious code into web applications. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for preventing XSS attacks according to web application security best practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems through session manipulation and credential theft. Users who interact with the vulnerable application may unknowingly execute malicious code that compromises their browser sessions, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or administrative functions. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from any location with internet access, making it particularly attractive for widespread exploitation campaigns. Organizations using api-umbrella-web 0.7.1 are at risk of having their web applications compromised, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 0.8.0, which includes the patch identified by commit hash bcc0e922c61d30367678c8f17a435950969315cd. This upgrade addresses the underlying input validation and output encoding issues within the Flash Message Handler component, thereby eliminating the XSS attack surface. Security teams should prioritize this patch deployment as a critical remediation measure, implementing proper change management processes to ensure the upgrade occurs without disrupting legitimate application functionality. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough testing of the patched version to verify that all flash message functionality operates correctly and that no regressions have been introduced. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and data exfiltration purposes, making it a critical target for immediate remediation to maintain organizational security posture and prevent potential lateral movement within compromised environments.