CVE-2015-7348 in zTree
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in zTree 3.5.19.1 and possibly earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the id parameter to demo/en/asyncData/getNodesForBigData.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2022
The CVE-2015-7348 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the zTree JavaScript library version 3.5.19.1 and potentially earlier iterations. This vulnerability specifically affects the demo/en/asyncData/getNodesForBigData.php endpoint where the id parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and returned to the user. The zTree library is widely used for creating tree-like data structures in web applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could be exploited across numerous web platforms that implement this library. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the id parameter in the targeted PHP endpoint to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. When the application processes this unsanitized input and renders it back to the user without proper output encoding or context-aware filtering, the injected script executes within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands depending on the victim's privileges and the application's security posture. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data enters the application without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a significant threat to web application security and user data integrity. Attackers could exploit this flaw to establish persistent access to user sessions, potentially leading to complete account compromise and unauthorized data access. The vulnerability affects any web application utilizing zTree library versions up to 3.5.19.1, which were widely deployed across various enterprise and open-source applications, amplifying the potential attack surface. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious payloads that leverage the vulnerable parameter to inject scripts, which then execute in the context of legitimate users who interact with the affected application. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which focuses on malicious file execution through web delivery methods, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7348 should prioritize immediate remediation through library version updates to the latest stable release where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code implementations. The fix typically involves sanitizing all user-supplied parameters before processing them and ensuring proper context-aware output encoding when rendering dynamic content. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and conducting regular security assessments of third-party libraries. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices such as employing CSP headers, implementing proper parameter validation, and utilizing automated tools to detect similar vulnerabilities in their codebase. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and implementing robust input/output validation controls to prevent XSS attacks that can compromise entire web applications and user sessions.