CVE-2018-13335 in TerraMaster TOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting in Control Panel in TerraMaster TOS version 3.1.03 allows attackers to execute JavaScript when viewing shared folders via their descriptions.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13335 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the TerraMaster TOS 3.1.03 control panel interface. This security weakness specifically affects the shared folder functionality where users can view folder descriptions, creating an attack vector that enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data entered into folder descriptions. When legitimate users navigate to shared folders and view their descriptions, the application directly renders this content without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious descriptions containing script tags or other XSS payloads that execute in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users share files and folders.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. Given that the control panel is likely used by administrators and authorized personnel, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing the malicious folder description, making it particularly effective in social engineering scenarios where attackers might trick users into accessing compromised shared folders.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, indicating that attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code in the victim's browser environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where file sharing and collaboration are common practices, as the vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate file sharing mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data within the control panel interface. The system should sanitize all folder descriptions and other user-controllable content before rendering in the browser context. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, conduct regular security testing of web applications, and establish secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities in future development. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of accessing shared folders from untrusted sources, and the system should implement proper access controls to limit the ability of unauthorized users to create malicious folder descriptions.