CVE-2019-10178 in pki-core
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that the Token Processing Service (TPS) did not properly sanitize the Token IDs from the "Activity" page, enabling a Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could trick an authenticated victim into creating a specially crafted activity, which would execute arbitrary JavaScript code when viewed in a browser. All versions of pki-core are believed to be vulnerable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10178 resides within the Token Processing Service component of the pki-core framework, specifically manifesting in the improper sanitization of Token IDs originating from the Activity page. This flaw represents a classic stored cross site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage, which then executes when legitimate users access the affected content. The security implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability does not require authentication for the initial injection phase, making it accessible to any attacker who can influence the creation of activities within the system.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the TPS component. When users create activities through the web interface, the Token ID values are stored in the database without proper sanitization measures. This failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied data creates an opening for malicious script injection, where attackers can embed javascript payloads within Token IDs that get rendered back to users without appropriate context-aware encoding. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS flaw that allows persistent script execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When authenticated users view the maliciously crafted activities, their browsers execute the injected javascript code within the context of their current session, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive information, or manipulate the application's functionality. The fact that all versions of pki-core are believed to be vulnerable indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling architecture that affects the entire product lineage, making this issue particularly concerning for organizations relying on this framework for their security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate input sanitization and output encoding measures that ensure all user-supplied data, particularly Token IDs, are properly escaped before storage and rendering. The remediation strategy should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, conducting thorough input validation at multiple points in the application lifecycle, and establishing proper output encoding for all dynamic content. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and user activity monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized activity creation that might lead to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for social engineering and T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as it leverages user trust and browser-based execution to achieve its malicious objectives.