CVE-2017-16010 in i18next
Summary
by MITRE
i18next is a language translation framework. When using the .init method, passing interpolation options without passing an escapeValue will default to undefined rather than the assumed true. This can result in a cross-site scripting vulnerability because user input is assumed to be escaped, but is not. This vulnerability affects i18next 2.0.0 and later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The CVE-2017-16010 vulnerability resides within the i18next internationalization framework, a widely-used JavaScript library for handling language translation in web applications. This security flaw emerges from a subtle but critical design oversight in how the library processes interpolation options during initialization. The vulnerability specifically manifests when developers utilize the .init method without explicitly setting the escapeValue parameter, creating a scenario where the framework defaults to undefined behavior rather than the expected true value that would enable proper input sanitization. This default configuration creates a dangerous assumption that user-provided content will be automatically escaped, when in reality no escaping occurs, leaving applications susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the library's interpolation mechanism which processes user input through translation placeholders. When escapeValue is not explicitly configured to true, the framework fails to sanitize dynamic content that gets injected into the DOM through translation strings. This misconfiguration allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through carefully crafted translation values, which then executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability affects all versions of i18next from 2.0.0 onwards, representing a significant portion of the library's user base and creating widespread potential for exploitation across numerous web applications. The flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how default parameter behaviors can create security pitfalls when they don't align with security assumptions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it represents a fundamental security misconfiguration that can be easily overlooked during development. Applications using i18next without proper escapeValue configuration become vulnerable to persistent cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious code can persist in translation files and affect all users until the translation files are updated. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in applications that allow user-generated content to be used in translation strings, as it provides a direct vector for attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges. The attack surface is broad since i18next is used across numerous web applications, from enterprise portals to consumer-facing websites, making this vulnerability a significant concern for security teams managing multiple applications that utilize internationalization features.
Security mitigations for CVE-2017-16010 require immediate attention through explicit parameter configuration in all i18next initialization routines. Developers must ensure that the escapeValue option is explicitly set to true when using the .init method, which will enable proper input sanitization and prevent malicious code injection. The recommended remediation involves updating all application code to include escapeValue: true in the i18next configuration object, and implementing automated code review processes to ensure this parameter is consistently set across all translation initialization points. Organizations should also consider implementing dependency scanning tools that can identify vulnerable versions of i18next and alert developers to missing escapeValue configurations. Additionally, security awareness training for development teams should emphasize the importance of explicit parameter configuration in security-critical libraries, as default behaviors that seem harmless can create significant security risks when they don't align with security expectations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of understanding library behavior and the potential for subtle configuration issues to create exploitable security weaknesses that can affect large numbers of applications.