CVE-2018-13333 in TerraMaster TOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting in File Manager in TerraMaster TOS version 3.1.03 allows attackers to execute JavaScript in the permissions window by placing JavaScript in users' usernames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
This vulnerability resides in the TerraMaster TOS operating system version 3.1.03 where the File Manager component fails to properly sanitize user input when displaying usernames in the permissions window. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web output. Attackers can exploit this weakness by registering or modifying user accounts with malicious JavaScript code embedded within usernames, which then executes when other users view the permissions interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices within the web application layer. When the system renders user information in the permissions window, it directly incorporates username values without appropriate sanitization or encoding, creating an environment where attacker-controlled JavaScript can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface components that manage user permissions and access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the system. The permissions window typically contains administrative functions and access control information that makes this attack vector particularly dangerous. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and potentially T1566 for initial access through malicious content. The attack requires minimal privileges to set up, as attackers only need to register or modify user accounts to inject malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The system must sanitize all user-provided data before rendering it in web contexts, particularly in areas where user identities are displayed. Input validation should enforce strict character restrictions and remove or encode potentially dangerous characters such as angle brackets, script tags, and other HTML entities. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using proper output encoding techniques like HTML entity encoding for usernames in the permissions interface would effectively prevent this class of vulnerability. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling and output rendering practices are essential for preventing similar issues in other components of the system.