CVE-2017-16018 in Restify
Summary
by MITRE
Restify is a framework for building REST APIs. Restify >=2.0.0 <=4.0.4 using URL encoded script tags in a non-existent URL, an attacker can get script to run in some browsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16018 affects the Restify framework, a popular Node.js web application framework designed for building RESTful APIs. This security flaw exists in versions greater than or equal to 2.0.0 and less than or equal to 4.0.4, representing a significant risk to applications that rely on this framework for API development and deployment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of URL encoded script tags within non-existent URL paths, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the framework's inadequate sanitization of URL parameters when processing requests for non-existent endpoints. When an attacker crafts a URL containing encoded script tags and directs traffic to a non-existent route within the Restify application, the framework fails to properly escape or validate these script tags before rendering them in the response. This occurs because the framework's routing mechanism does not adequately sanitize input data, particularly when dealing with URL encoded content that may contain malicious JavaScript payloads. The vulnerability specifically manifests in certain web browsers that interpret and execute the embedded script tags when they are rendered in the response context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cross-site scripting concerns, as it represents a critical security flaw that could enable attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaws in software applications. The potential attack surface includes scenarios where authenticated users interact with the vulnerable API, allowing attackers to hijack sessions, steal sensitive data, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring authentication or specific user interaction beyond accessing the malicious URL, making it a significant threat to web applications built using the Restify framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16018 should prioritize immediate version upgrades to Restify 4.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the URL encoding and script tag sanitization issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their applications, ensuring that all URL parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or rendered in any response context. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code from running within browser contexts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers Data from Information Repositories, as it represents an attack vector that could be used to extract sensitive information through client-side exploitation. Organizations must also establish robust monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect anomalous URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews focusing on input sanitization practices and ensuring that all framework components are updated to their latest secure versions.