CVE-2019-1010113 in CLEditor
Summary
by MITRE
Premium Software CLEditor 1.4.5 and earlier is affected by: Cross Site Scripting (XSS). The impact is: An attacker might be able to inject arbitrary html and script code into the web site. The component is: jQuery plug-in. The attack vector is: the victim must open a crafted href attribute of a link (A) element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
This vulnerability resides in the Premium Software CLEditor jQuery plugin version 1.4.5 and earlier, representing a classic cross site scripting flaw that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into affected web applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes user-supplied input through the href attribute of anchor elements, creating an attack surface where an unsuspecting user might inadvertently trigger the execution of malicious payloads. The XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's processing logic, allowing attackers to craft malicious links that bypass security controls. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic improper neutralization of input during web output, where the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before rendering it in the web page context.
The attack vector requires user interaction through a crafted href attribute within an A element, making this a client-side exploitation scenario where the victim must actively click on the malicious link for the payload to execute. This particular variant demonstrates how seemingly innocuous HTML attributes can become attack vectors when plugins fail to properly validate and sanitize input data. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even deface web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where users might encounter links in forums, comment sections, or any content management system that utilizes the vulnerable plugin, as it can lead to widespread compromise of user sessions and data theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability can be severe for organizations relying on the CLEditor plugin, as it creates persistent security risks that can be exploited across multiple user sessions and interactions. Attackers can craft sophisticated phishing campaigns that appear legitimate while executing malicious code in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to account takeovers, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within affected applications. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions of the plugin indicates a failure to address known security issues in the software lifecycle, creating extended exposure windows for potential exploitation. Organizations using this plugin should consider the broader implications for their web application security posture, as XSS vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more sophisticated attacks within the broader attack chain defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, combined with input validation and output encoding controls that prevent malicious data from being rendered in web contexts. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection, while also establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious user activity and input patterns. Regular security assessments and dependency audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party components, as this vulnerability exemplifies how outdated libraries can create persistent security risks. The remediation process should also include user education about the dangers of clicking on untrusted links and implementing proper web application firewall rules to detect and block malicious input patterns.