CVE-2017-1000035 in Tiny RSS
Summary
by MITRE
Tiny Tiny RSS before 829d478f is vulnerable to XSS window.opener attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
Tiny Tiny RSS is a web-based news feed reader that allows users to aggregate and read RSS feeds from various sources. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000035 affects versions prior to the commit 829d478f, specifically targeting the application's handling of user-provided data in the context of window.opener functionality. This flaw represents a sophisticated cross-site scripting attack vector that leverages the window.opener property to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's JavaScript processing logic. When Tiny Tiny RSS processes user-generated content or external feed data, it fails to properly escape or validate certain parameters that are subsequently used in window.opener operations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can be executed when a victim clicks on a specially crafted link or visits a malicious page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exploits the inherent trust relationship between browser windows, allowing attackers to hijack sessions and execute commands with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this XSS window.opener attack to perform a wide range of malicious activities including credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application's security boundaries. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with malicious content through the Tiny Tiny RSS interface, potentially compromising all feeds and articles stored within the application. Given that Tiny Tiny RSS is commonly used for accessing sensitive information from various sources, the potential damage from such an attack can be significant for both individual users and organizations relying on the application for information management.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves updating to the patched version that includes proper input validation and sanitization of window.opener parameters. Additionally, organizations should deploy content security policies that restrict the use of window.opener functionality and implement proper output encoding for all user-provided data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious JavaScript execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on browser-based attack vectors will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.