CVE-2018-9182 in Twonky Server
Summary
by MITRE
Twonky Server before 8.5.1 has XSS via a modified "language" parameter in the Language section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2020
Twonky Server represents a media server solution that enables users to stream digital content across networks and devices. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9182 affects versions prior to 8.5.1 and specifically targets the language parameter handling within the server's web interface. This flaw exists in the server's user authentication and configuration sections where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker manipulates the language parameter through crafted input that includes malicious script code, which then gets executed in the context of other users who visit the affected web interface.
The technical implementation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Twonky Server web application. When users navigate to the language selection section of the web interface, the server processes the language parameter without sufficient sanitization measures. This allows malicious actors to inject javascript code or other malicious payloads that execute in the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically targeting the language configuration parameter that should be treated as untrusted input. The flaw operates by bypassing the server's normal input processing routines and directly embedding user-supplied values into dynamically generated web content without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user sessions and data. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject additional malicious content that could compromise the entire media server environment. The threat is particularly concerning in networked environments where the Twonky Server serves multiple users and devices, as a successful attack could allow unauthorized access to media libraries and user configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that leverage web-based exploits to gain unauthorized access to systems. The affected server configuration could potentially provide attackers with access to user credentials or media content metadata that could be used for further exploitation within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9182 involve immediate patching of the Twonky Server to version 8.5.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding for the language parameter. Organizations should implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting similar vulnerabilities. Input validation should be strengthened to reject any non-standard characters or script tags in language parameters, while output encoding should ensure that all user-supplied values are properly escaped before being rendered in web contexts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the Twonky Server to untrusted networks, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities in other web applications. The remediation process should also include user education on recognizing potentially malicious web content and implementing proper monitoring for suspicious activities in the media server logs.