CVE-2019-25102 in simple-markdown
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in simple-markdown 0.6.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file simple-markdown.js. The manipulation with the input
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2023
This vulnerability resides within the simple-markdown javascript library version 0.6.0 where an insecure implementation of an unknown function in the simple-markdown.js file creates a potential security risk. The flaw manifests when processing markdown input that contains maliciously crafted content, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or injection attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the markdown parsing logic, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the parsing behavior through specially crafted markdown syntax.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for code execution through improper handling of markdown elements during the parsing process. When the library processes user-supplied markdown content, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input before processing, enabling attackers to inject malicious constructs that can be interpreted as executable code. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-79 category for Cross-Site Scripting, though the specific impact may vary based on how the parsed content is subsequently handled by the application. The attack vector often involves injecting script tags or other executable content within markdown syntax that gets processed by the vulnerable library.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, potentially allowing for complete system compromise when the vulnerable library is used in web applications or server-side rendering contexts. Applications using simple-markdown for processing user-generated content become susceptible to various attack scenarios including but not limited to stored cross-site scripting, server-side request forgery, or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous in environments where the markdown content is rendered without proper sanitization or when the parsed output is directly executed or embedded in web pages without appropriate security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to a patched version of the simple-markdown library where available, implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization at multiple layers of the application, and employing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Organizations should also consider implementing proper output encoding when rendering markdown content, utilizing sandboxed execution environments for markdown processing, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party libraries. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for layered defensive measures including network segmentation, application whitelisting, and runtime monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.