CVE-2015-9286 in NodeBB
Summary
by MITRE
Controllers.outgoing in controllers/index.js in NodeBB before 0.7.3 has outgoing XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9286 represents a cross-site scripting flaw located within the NodeBB forum software's controller implementation. This specific issue affects versions prior to 0.7.3 and is rooted in the outgoing controller functionality found in controllers/index.js. The vulnerability manifests when user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the outgoing controller context, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. The flaw specifically impacts the controllers.outgoing component which handles outgoing requests and responses within the NodeBB framework's architecture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This particular implementation flaw occurs when the application fails to properly escape or sanitize user-controllable data that flows through the outgoing controller pathway. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the controller layer of the application, meaning that malicious payloads could potentially be executed in the context of any user session that encounters the vulnerable output. The outgoing controller functionality typically processes data that gets transmitted to external systems or rendered in user interfaces, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to execute malicious scripts in victim browsers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration attacks against authenticated users. When a victim visits a page or interacts with content that triggers the vulnerable outgoing controller, their browser executes the injected JavaScript code, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal forum usage, making it difficult to detect and prevent. The vulnerability affects the entire NodeBB ecosystem and could potentially compromise user data, forum integrity, and overall system security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9286 involve immediate patching to version 0.7.3 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at all entry points and ensure that all user-generated content is properly escaped before being rendered in any output context. The remediation process should include thorough code review of the controllers/index.js file to verify proper implementation of security controls, particularly around the outgoing controller functionality. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which focuses on phishing and social engineering attacks that leverage XSS vulnerabilities to compromise user sessions and extract sensitive information from authenticated web applications.