CVE-2017-12097 in delayed_job_web Rails Gem
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the filter functionality of the delayed_job_web rails gem version 1.4. A specially crafted URL can cause an XSS flaw resulting in an attacker being able to execute arbitrary javascript on the victim's browser. An attacker can phish an authenticated user to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2023
The CVE-2017-12097 vulnerability represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the delayed_job_web rails gem version 1.4, specifically affecting the filter functionality of this widely used ruby on rails component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The delayed_job_web gem serves as a web interface for managing delayed job queues in ruby on rails applications, making it a common target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when the application processes user-supplied input through the filter functionality without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an opening for malicious script injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted URLs that contain malicious javascript payloads within the filter parameters. When an authenticated user navigates to such a maliciously constructed URL, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before rendering it in the web interface. This allows the attacker's javascript code to execute within the victim's browser context, bypassing standard security mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges beyond access to the targeted application's web interface, and can be triggered simply by persuading an authenticated user to click on a malicious link. The attack vector leverages social engineering techniques where users are tricked into visiting compromised URLs, making it a classic example of phishing-based exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12097 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the victim's browser session. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, capture user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1548.001 for Abuse of Cloud Infrastructure, as the exploitation relies on user interaction and can be used to escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using delayed_job_web gem versions 1.4 and potentially earlier versions, making it relevant to a substantial number of ruby on rails applications that rely on this component for job queue management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12097 should prioritize immediate patching of the delayed_job_web gem to version 1.4.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their applications, particularly in areas that handle user-supplied data. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the browser. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar input handling patterns that could be vulnerable to cross site scripting. Additionally, user education about suspicious links and phishing attempts remains crucial in preventing successful exploitation of this vulnerability, as the attack relies heavily on social engineering components to achieve its goals.