CVE-2019-14652 in AWS JavaScript S3 Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
explorer.js in Amazon AWS JavaScript S3 Explorer (aka aws-js-s3-explorer) v2 alpha before 2019-08-02 allows XSS in certain circumstances.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14652 affects the aws-js-s3-explorer JavaScript library, specifically targeting the explorer.js component within Amazon Web Services' S3 Explorer utility. This library serves as a client-side interface for interacting with AWS S3 storage services, enabling users to browse and manage cloud storage objects through a web-based graphical user interface. The vulnerability manifests in the alpha version of the library released before August 2, 2019, creating a potential security risk for organizations relying on this JavaScript component for S3 management operations. The flaw resides in how the library processes and renders user-provided data within the explorer.js file, creating an environment where malicious input can be executed as script code within the browser context of the application.
The technical implementation of this cross-site scripting vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding within the explorer.js module. When the library processes user-supplied data such as object names, bucket names, or other metadata retrieved from S3 services, it fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before rendering them in the web interface. This allows an attacker to inject malicious script payloads that execute within the context of the user's browser session, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the S3 access credentials and data. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages. The flaw represents a classic reflected XSS attack vector where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to S3 resources. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, modify the interface to redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the browser context. In the context of S3 exploration, this means that any user with access to the affected JavaScript library could have their credentials compromised, leading to unauthorized access to cloud storage objects, data exfiltration, or modification of stored data. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where the S3 Explorer is embedded in web applications or used in conjunction with other web-based tools that might not properly isolate the JavaScript execution environment. Organizations using this library in production environments face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, compromised user accounts, or malicious uploads that trigger the XSS condition.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14652 require immediate attention and include updating to the patched version of the aws-js-s3-explorer library released after August 2, 2019. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within their web applications that utilize this library, ensuring all user-provided data is properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution from unauthorized sources. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for social engineering attacks that could leverage this flaw. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of JavaScript library versions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party components. Organizations should also establish secure coding practices that emphasize proper input validation and output encoding, particularly when integrating external JavaScript libraries into web applications.