CVE-2017-20182 in Django AJAX Utilities
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2023
A vulnerability was found in Mobile Vikings Django AJAX Utilities up to 1.2.1 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function Pagination of the file django_ajax/static/ajax-utilities/js/pagination.js of the component Backslash Handler. The manipulation of the argument url leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 329eb1dd1580ca1f9d4f95bc69939833226515c9. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-222611.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Mobile Vikings Django AJAX Utilities library version 1.2.1 and earlier, specifically targeting the Pagination function in the django_ajax/static/ajax-utilities/js/pagination.js file. The flaw manifests through improper input validation within the Backslash Handler component, creating a cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability is triggered when an attacker manipulates the url argument parameter, allowing malicious JavaScript code to be injected and executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This represents a classic client-side scripting vulnerability that undermines the security model of web applications by enabling unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input sanitization and output encoding practices within the JavaScript component. When the Pagination function processes the url argument without adequate validation or sanitization, it fails to prevent malicious input from being interpreted as executable code. The vulnerability's classification as remote attackable means that an attacker can exploit this flaw through network-based interactions without requiring physical access to the target system. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability, as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers. This could lead to complete compromise of user sessions, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used AJAX utility library increases the potential attack surface, as multiple applications may be affected by the same flaw. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution. The remote exploitability factor means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various vectors including malicious web pages, social engineering campaigns, or by directly targeting vulnerable applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application, with the recommended fix being the implementation of the patch identified by commit hash 329eb1dd1580ca1f9d4f95bc69939833226515c9. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other components. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies, using secure coding practices for JavaScript components, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party libraries. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies and the critical need for proper input validation in all user-facing components of web applications. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in AJAX utility libraries.