CVE-2018-3747 in public
Summary
by MITRE
The public node module versions <= 1.0.3 allows to embed HTML in file names, which (in certain conditions) might lead to execute malicious JavaScript.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3747 resides within the public node module ecosystem and represents a significant security risk that stems from inadequate input validation in file name handling. This flaw affects versions 1.0.3 and earlier of the affected module, where the system fails to properly sanitize file names that may contain embedded HTML content. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user-provided data should never be trusted without proper validation and sanitization, a fundamental tenet of secure software development practices. The issue manifests when the module processes file names that contain HTML tags or JavaScript code, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the module's insufficient sanitization of file names that may contain HTML characters or script tags. When a user uploads or references a file with a name containing embedded HTML, the module does not properly validate or escape these characters before processing them. This creates a scenario where maliciously crafted file names can contain script tags or other HTML elements that, under certain conditions, may be interpreted and executed by web browsers or other processing components. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaws that occur when an application includes untrusted data in web pages without proper validation or escaping. The flaw essentially allows for the injection of malicious code through file naming conventions, creating a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized JavaScript in the context of the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3747 extends beyond simple code injection, as it can potentially lead to full application compromise when combined with other attack vectors or when the vulnerable module is used in contexts where file names are processed through web interfaces. Attackers can craft file names that contain malicious JavaScript code, which when processed by the vulnerable module, could be executed in the browser context of users interacting with the application. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user-uploaded files or dynamic file naming, where the module's behavior could be leveraged to perform actions such as cookie theft, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's exploitation is typically facilitated through social engineering or by compromising user sessions, aligning with ATT&CK techniques that involve code injection and credential access. The impact is further amplified when the vulnerable module is used in conjunction with other components that do not properly validate or sanitize user input, creating a chain of vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3747 require immediate attention through version updates to the affected module, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures that ensure all file names are properly escaped or filtered before processing, particularly when these names may be displayed to users or processed through web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection by restricting the execution of inline scripts and mitigating the impact of successful XSS attacks. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews and dependency audits to identify other potential instances of similar vulnerabilities within their applications. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing (DAST) and static application security testing (SAST) should be implemented to detect and remediate similar issues in other modules or components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when handling user-provided data, as well as maintaining up-to-date dependencies to protect against known vulnerabilities.