CVE-2019-10076 in JSPWiki
Summary
by MITRE
A carefully crafted malicious attachment could trigger an XSS vulnerability on Apache JSPWiki 2.9.0 to 2.11.0.M3, which could lead to session hijacking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-10076 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in Apache JSPWiki versions ranging from 2.9.0 through 2.11.0.M3 that poses significant security risks to web application users. This vulnerability specifically manifests when users interact with maliciously crafted attachments that contain malicious javascript code. The flaw exists within the wiki application's handling of user-supplied content, particularly in how it processes and renders attachment metadata or content within the web interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, which allows malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' sessions. This particular vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through the attachment mechanism, which is a common and trusted feature of wiki applications where users expect to upload and share documents without security concerns. The attack vector involves an attacker crafting a specially formatted attachment that, when viewed or processed by a victim's browser, executes malicious javascript code. This code can then access session cookies or other sensitive data, enabling the attacker to hijack user sessions and impersonate legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to complete account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive wiki content. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where user-controllable data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser context.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs within JSPWiki's attachment handling subsystem where user-uploaded content is processed without adequate input validation or output encoding. When a user accesses a page containing a malicious attachment, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the attachment metadata or content before rendering it in the HTML context. This allows attackers to inject javascript payloads that execute in the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it leverages the trust users place in wiki attachments, which are typically considered safe for viewing. Attackers can craft attachments that appear legitimate while containing embedded malicious scripts designed to steal session tokens, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform other malicious activities. The attack requires no privileged access to the wiki system itself, making it accessible to any user with upload privileges or those who can convince others to view malicious attachments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, demonstrating how web application flaws can enable social engineering attacks to be more effective. The flaw represents a failure in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, as it lacks proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that should prevent such attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10076 extends far beyond simple script injection, creating a pathway for comprehensive session hijacking and privilege escalation attacks. When successful, attackers can steal active user sessions and maintain persistent access to the wiki system, potentially gaining access to confidential documents, editing privileges, or administrative controls. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the wiki application by allowing attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially compromise the entire wiki environment. Organizations using affected JSPWiki versions face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and potential lateral movement within their network if the wiki system is integrated with other services. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including direct attachment uploads, email attachments, or even through compromised third-party integrations that allow attachment uploads. The session hijacking capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for collaborative environments where multiple users access the same wiki system and share sensitive information. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be used as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks, as compromised wiki accounts often have access to sensitive organizational information and may be used to establish persistence within the network. This vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the wiki content, as attackers can modify or delete content through the hijacked sessions, potentially causing data corruption or information disclosure. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected versions, but organizations must also implement additional security measures such as content filtering, attachment validation, and monitoring for suspicious attachment usage patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10076 should include immediate deployment of the official security patches released by Apache for versions 2.11.0.M4 and later. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in their own web applications, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top 10 recommendations for preventing XSS attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the scope of potential damage from successful exploitation, particularly restricting attachment upload privileges to trusted users only. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar flaws in web applications. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using security headers can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual attachment usage patterns or attempts to upload suspicious files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application lifecycle. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the risks of opening unknown attachments and the importance of verifying file integrity before viewing potentially malicious content. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or other protective measures that can detect and block malicious attachment content before it reaches the application servers. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce regressions or compatibility issues with existing wiki functionality, while also verifying that the security fixes properly address the underlying XSS vulnerability in the attachment handling code.