CVE-2018-12973 in OpenTSDB
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in OpenTSDB 2.3.0. There is XSS in parameter 'json' to the /q URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12973 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within OpenTSDB version 2.3.0, specifically affecting the query endpoint at /q. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the json parameter, which is processed through the web interface without proper security measures. The vulnerability exists in the web application layer where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into HTTP responses without appropriate encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or sanitize user input before rendering it within the browser context. When the json parameter is submitted to the /q endpoint, the system processes this data without sufficient validation, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the application treats the input as trusted content rather than potentially malicious data, creating a pathway for attackers to inject script code that executes in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform various malicious activities including stealing user credentials, modifying dashboard content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even executing arbitrary commands within the browser context. The vulnerability affects all users of the affected OpenTSDB version who have access to the query interface, potentially compromising sensitive monitoring data and system integrity. Given that OpenTSDB is commonly used for infrastructure monitoring, the implications are particularly concerning as attackers could manipulate or obscure critical system metrics and alerts.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The issue also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with social engineering. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy implementation to prevent exploitation. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of OpenTSDB where proper input sanitization has been implemented and the json parameter is properly validated before processing. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their monitoring infrastructure.