CVE-2015-3454 in TelescopeJS
Summary
by MITRE
TelescopeJS before 0.15 leaks user bcrypt password hashes in websocket messages, which might allow remote attackers to obtain password hashes via a cross-site scripting attack.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3454 affects TelescopeJS versions prior to 0.15, representing a critical security flaw that exposes user authentication credentials through improper handling of password hashes in websocket communications. This issue manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize or protect bcrypt password hashes that are transmitted through websocket channels, creating an avenue for malicious actors to intercept and exploit these sensitive credentials.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the websocket message handling components of TelescopeJS. When user authentication data is processed and transmitted through websocket connections, the system does not properly distinguish between legitimate application data and sensitive credential information. This flaw allows attackers to capture websocket messages containing password hashes during network traffic interception, particularly when the application is vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks that can be leveraged to execute malicious code within the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as bcrypt password hashes represent a significant security risk when exposed to unauthorized parties. These hashes can be subjected to offline brute force attacks or rainbow table lookups, potentially compromising multiple user accounts if the same passwords are reused across different systems. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with cross-site scripting exploits, as attackers can leverage existing XSS vulnerabilities to inject malicious scripts that capture websocket messages containing the exposed password hashes.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1566, specifically targeting credential access through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The combination of these attack vectors creates a multi-stage threat scenario where initial XSS exploitation leads to websocket data interception and subsequent credential compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3454 require immediate implementation of several security controls including the upgrade to TelescopeJS version 0.15 or later, which contains proper sanitization mechanisms for websocket communications. Organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding for all websocket message content, ensuring that sensitive data including password hashes are never transmitted through websocket channels. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual websocket traffic patterns that might indicate credential exposure attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and remediate any existing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that could be exploited to facilitate this attack vector. The implementation of proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication, should be considered as additional protective measures to minimize the impact of potential credential compromise.