CVE-2017-6591 in django-epiceditor
Summary
by MITRE
There is a cross-site scripting vulnerability in django-epiceditor 0.2.3 via crafted content in a form field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6591 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the django-epiceditor library version 0.2.3, which is a Django-based WYSIWYG editor component. This particular vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the form field processing logic. The issue manifests when malicious users submit crafted content through form fields that are processed by the epiceditor component, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects web applications that utilize this library for content management and user-generated content processing, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Django-based platforms for their web applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the library's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within HTML contexts. When form data containing malicious script payloads is submitted through the epiceditor interface, the component does not adequately escape special characters or implement proper content sanitization measures. This lack of input validation creates an environment where attackers can inject javascript code, html tags, or other malicious content that gets executed when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-79 principle of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS attack vector where malicious content is permanently stored and subsequently served to other users. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trusted nature of the epiceditor component within the Django framework, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6591 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within affected applications. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary javascript code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as stealing user session cookies, modifying application data, or conducting phishing attacks against other users. The vulnerability affects web applications that store and display user-generated content through the epiceditor interface, making it particularly concerning for content management systems, forums, blog platforms, and any application that permits rich text editing capabilities. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the exploitation of this vulnerability, especially if user credentials or sensitive data are compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6591 should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of the django-epiceditor library. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, ensuring that all user-provided content is properly sanitized before storage or display. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution and limiting the impact of successful XSS attacks. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues within their Django applications, while also implementing proper security training for developers to prevent similar flaws in custom code. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as primary defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should establish robust monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, as well as maintain up-to-date security patches and dependency management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their web applications.