CVE-2017-16015 in Forms
Summary
by MITRE
Forms is a library for easily creating HTML forms. Versions before 1.3.0 did not have proper html escaping. This means that if the application did not sanitize html on behalf of forms, use of forms may be vulnerable to cross site scripting
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16015 affects the Forms library, a component commonly used for generating HTML forms in web applications. This issue stems from inadequate HTML escaping mechanisms within the library's implementation, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 1.3.0, indicating that developers who have not updated their dependencies remain at risk. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in HTML contexts, making it particularly dangerous in applications that rely on dynamic form generation.
The technical flaw manifests in the library's failure to properly escape HTML characters when processing form data, which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into form elements. When applications using vulnerable versions of Forms do not implement additional sanitization measures, user-supplied data can be rendered directly into HTML without proper encoding, creating opportunities for XSS attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how library-level security issues can propagate throughout entire application ecosystems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including form fields, dropdown menus, and any other form elements that accept user input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or user experience degradation. Attackers could potentially execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This risk is particularly severe in applications where users can submit content that gets displayed in forms, such as comment systems, user profile management, or content management interfaces. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can affect multiple users simultaneously, as successful exploitation allows attackers to compromise the security of all users interacting with vulnerable forms. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential compliance violations under data protection regulations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16015 primarily involve updating the Forms library to version 1.3.0 or later, which includes proper HTML escaping mechanisms. Security teams should also implement additional defensive measures such as Content Security Policy headers, input validation, and regular security audits of third-party dependencies. Organizations should establish dependency management processes that include automated vulnerability scanning and regular updates to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date libraries and the potential consequences of neglecting security patches, as this flaw could be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise through standard XSS attack methods. Implementation of proper input sanitization at multiple layers of the application architecture provides additional defense-in-depth measures that can protect against similar vulnerabilities in other components.