CVE-2018-19352 in Notebook
Summary
by MITRE
Jupyter Notebook before 5.7.2 allows XSS via a crafted directory name because notebook/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js handles certain URLs unsafely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-19352 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability in Jupyter Notebook versions prior to 5.7.2 that stems from improper handling of directory names containing malicious content. This flaw exists within the notebook/static/tree/js/notebooklist.js file which processes URLs in an unsafe manner, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts through directory names that are subsequently rendered in the web interface without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability specifically targets the tree view functionality where directory listings are displayed, making it a critical concern for users who may encounter maliciously crafted directory names during normal notebook operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fact that Jupyter Notebook's JavaScript code does not properly escape or validate directory names before rendering them in the user interface. When a user navigates to a directory containing specially crafted names that include script tags or other malicious content, the unsafe URL handling in notebooklist.js fails to sanitize these inputs before displaying them in the browser. This creates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious code can execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output, specifically addressing cross-site scripting flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to Jupyter Notebook environments. An attacker who can influence directory names through legitimate means such as shared directories or collaborative notebooks can inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions. This risk is particularly significant in enterprise environments where Jupyter Notebooks are used for data analysis and collaborative research, as the compromised system could provide access to sensitive data, analytical workloads, or even serve as a foothold for broader network attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering to convince users to navigate to malicious directories or through compromised shared environments where directory names are manipulated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19352 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Jupyter Notebook installations to version 5.7.2 or later where the unsafe URL handling has been corrected. Organizations should implement additional security controls such as input validation at the application level to sanitize directory names and prevent potentially malicious content from being processed. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense in depth by blocking known malicious patterns in URL parameters. Regular security assessments of Jupyter Notebook deployments should include checks for proper input sanitization and output encoding practices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and ATT&CK framework's T1211 technique for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through XSS attacks, emphasizing that proper input validation and output encoding are fundamental security controls that must be implemented throughout the application lifecycle to prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring in the first place.