CVE-2019-8349 in HTMLy
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in HTMLy 2.7.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) destination parameter to delete feature; the (2) destination parameter to edit feature; (3) content parameter in the profile feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-8349 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness identified in HTMLy version 2.7.4, a popular open-source blogging platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's core functionality, specifically affecting three distinct parameters across different features. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victims' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability affects the delete feature through the destination parameter, the edit feature through the same destination parameter, and the profile feature through the content parameter, demonstrating a widespread issue in the application's parameter handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing or rendering it within HTML contexts. When users interact with the affected features, the application directly incorporates unsanitized parameters into web responses without appropriate encoding or validation measures. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script tags, event handlers, or other malicious code that executes when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows the pattern of improper input validation that has been consistently documented in web security assessments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8349 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire application behavior and compromise user data. Attackers could potentially redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, modify content displayed to other users, or even gain administrative privileges if they can exploit the vulnerability to manipulate the application's core functionality. The three affected parameters represent different attack vectors within the application's architecture, suggesting a systemic issue in input handling rather than isolated code flaws. This vulnerability particularly impacts user profiles and content management features, which are core to the blogging platform's functionality and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8349 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should immediately upgrade to HTMLy version 2.7.5 or later, which contains patches addressing these specific vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, employing proper parameter sanitization techniques, and conducting regular security code reviews can prevent similar issues. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts within victim browsers. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, as this vulnerability demonstrates a pattern of insufficient input sanitization that may exist elsewhere in the codebase.