CVE-2018-25058 in Twitter-Post-Fetcher
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Twitter-Post-Fetcher up to 17.x. This affects an unknown part of the file js/twitterFetcher.js of the component Link Target Handler. The manipulation leads to use of web link to untrusted target with window.opener access. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 18.0.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 7d281c6fb5acbc29a2cad295262c1f0c19ca56f3. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217017 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25058 represents a significant security flaw in the Twitter-Post-Fetcher JavaScript library, specifically within the js/twitterFetcher.js file where the Link Target Handler component resides. This issue affects versions up to 17.x and demonstrates a critical weakness in how external links are handled within the fetched content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of hyperlink targets that could potentially expose users to malicious web content through the window.opener API access mechanism. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the target attribute of links in a way that could compromise user sessions and enable phishing attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of the window.opener access pattern that occurs when a web page opens another page using window.open() or similar methods. When links in fetched Twitter content are processed without proper sanitization, the malicious actor can craft URLs that, when clicked, establish access to the original page through the window.opener property. This creates a potential attack vector where an attacker can hijack the browsing context of the original page, potentially gaining access to sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through the window.opener API which is designed to allow controlled access between parent and child windows but becomes dangerous when exploited maliciously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cross-site scripting concerns, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through remote code execution or session hijacking attacks. When users interact with Twitter content fetched through this library, they may unknowingly navigate to malicious sites that can leverage the window.opener access to gain unauthorized access to the original page context. This creates a significant risk for websites that use the Twitter-Post-Fetcher library to display Twitter feeds, as any user interaction with the fetched content could potentially compromise the entire browsing session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may be accessing sensitive corporate data through browsers that have been compromised through this vector.
Security researchers have identified this issue as aligning with CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting) and CWE-935 (Improper Restriction of Operations within a Single Facility) categories, which specifically address the risks associated with improper handling of user-provided content and the exploitation of browser APIs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to exploit publicly accessible web applications to gain access to user contexts. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 18.0.0, which includes the patch identified by commit hash 7d281c6fb5acbc29a2cad295262c1f0c19ca56f3. This upgrade process should be prioritized across all affected systems, particularly those that handle sensitive user data or operate in high-security environments where the risk of session hijacking or data exfiltration is unacceptable.
The patch implementation addresses the core issue by properly sanitizing link targets and ensuring that external links do not inadvertently grant window.opener access to malicious domains. The fix specifically targets the Link Target Handler component within the twitterFetcher.js file, implementing proper validation of href attributes and ensuring that any external links are properly configured to prevent access to the parent window context. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as Content Security Policy headers and proper link validation in their web applications to further mitigate risks associated with similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential dangers of improper handling of browser APIs in web applications that fetch and display third-party content.