CVE-2018-14380 in Graylog
Summary
by MITRE
In Graylog before 2.4.6, XSS was possible in typeahead components, related to components/common/TypeAheadInput.jsx and components/search/QueryInput.ts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14380 represents a cross-site scripting weakness in Graylog versions prior to 2.4.6 that specifically targets typeahead input components within the web interface. This flaw exists in the JavaScript components responsible for autocompletion functionality, namely components/common/TypeAheadInput.jsx and components/search/QueryInput.ts. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of user-provided input data that is processed and displayed within the typeahead dropdown menus, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the autocompletion features of Graylog's search interface. When users interact with the typeahead components, the system processes and displays suggestions based on user input without adequate validation or sanitization of special characters and script tags. This allows attackers to craft input sequences that, when processed by the typeahead component, execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of other users' browser sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects components that are frequently used during normal administrative and monitoring activities, increasing the potential attack surface and impact.
The operational impact of this XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. An attacker could leverage this weakness to execute malicious scripts that manipulate the Graylog interface, potentially redirecting users to phishing sites or extracting sensitive information from the application. The vulnerability affects the core search functionality of Graylog, which is fundamental to security monitoring and incident response operations, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on the platform for log analysis and threat detection. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction, as the malicious code executes automatically when the vulnerable typeahead components render user-provided input.
Organizations using Graylog versions prior to 2.4.6 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 2.4.6 or later, which addresses the input sanitization issues in the affected components. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper content security policies to restrict script execution within the application, regular input validation and sanitization of all user-provided data, and monitoring for suspicious input patterns in the search interface. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common attack pattern documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Cross-site Scripting" within the Execution and Persistence domains. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure input handling in web applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive sanitization of user data in interactive components.