CVE-2017-10975 in Lutim
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Lutim before 0.8 might allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted filename that is mishandled in an upload notification and in the myfiles component, if the attacker can convince the victim to proceed with an upload despite the appearance of an XSS payload in the filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The CVE-2017-10975 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the Lutim file sharing application prior to version 0.8, demonstrating a classic weakness in input validation and output encoding mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied filenames during upload operations, where malicious payloads can be embedded within the filename itself. The flaw occurs when the system processes uploaded files and displays the filename in both upload notifications and the myfiles component, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be rendered in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to convince victims to proceed with uploads despite warning indicators, highlighting the importance of user awareness in addition to technical controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-provided input within the file upload workflow. When a user uploads a file with a malicious filename containing script tags or other XSS payloads, the application fails to properly encode or escape this content before displaying it in web pages. The vulnerability manifests in two primary locations: the upload notification system where the filename appears in a context that renders HTML, and the myfiles component where previously uploaded filenames are displayed. This dual exposure increases the attack surface and provides multiple vectors for exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to persistent XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10975 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. When victims view filenames containing malicious payloads in the myfiles component, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, potentially compromising their sessions or allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the application. The social engineering aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers can craft filenames that appear legitimate while containing hidden malicious code, making detection more difficult. This vulnerability also exposes the application to potential exploitation through the attacker's ability to inject content into contexts that are not properly protected against XSS attacks, which can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10975 require a multi-layered approach addressing both the immediate technical flaw and broader application security practices. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly filenames, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before display. Applications should employ context-specific encoding mechanisms that escape HTML, JavaScript, and other potentially dangerous characters based on where the content will be rendered. The Lutim application should implement strict filename validation rules that reject or sanitize problematic characters and patterns commonly used in XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide additional protection against script execution, as well as regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and ISO 27001 security standards, emphasizing that proper sanitization of all user inputs is critical for preventing XSS attacks.