CVE-2018-1000529 in Fields Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Grails Fields plugin version 2.2.7 contains a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Using the display tag that can result in XSS . This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in 2.2.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The CVE-2018-1000529 vulnerability resides within the Grails Fields plugin version 2.2.7, specifically manifesting as a cross site scripting flaw when utilizing the display tag functionality. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications built on the Grails framework. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for persistent cross site scripting attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on the Grails framework's field rendering capabilities, particularly those implementing the display tag for data presentation purposes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious script code is processed through the Grails Fields plugin's display tag functionality without proper sanitization. The flaw exists in the plugin's rendering pipeline where raw user data is directly embedded into HTML output without appropriate context-aware encoding. This creates a condition where attackers can inject javascript payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security design. Attackers can leverage this flaw by submitting crafted input through forms or other data entry points that utilize the affected display tag functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1000529 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to vulnerable applications and their underlying user bases. When exploited successfully, the XSS vulnerability can facilitate session fixation attacks, allow for cookie theft, and enable the execution of arbitrary commands in the context of authenticated users. This poses significant risks to web applications that handle sensitive information, user authentication data, or business-critical operations. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple user sessions makes it particularly dangerous for applications where user trust and data confidentiality are paramount, as the malicious scripts can remain active until the application is updated or the affected plugin is replaced.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Grails Fields plugin version 2.2.8 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaw. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin within their application ecosystem and implement proper input validation measures. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web interfaces, implementing Content Security Policies to mitigate potential exploitation, and establishing regular security scanning procedures to detect similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while following the ATT&CK framework's guidance on defending against cross site scripting techniques to maintain robust application security postures.