CVE-2020-11610 in xdLocalStorage
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in xdLocalStorage through 2.0.5. The postData() function in xdLocalStoragePostMessageApi.js specifies the wildcard (*) as the targetOrigin when calling the postMessage() function on the parent object. Therefore any domain can load the application hosting the "magical iframe" and receive the messages that the "magical iframe" sends.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11610 resides within the xdLocalStorage library version 2.0.5 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of cross-domain communication mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the xdLocalStoragePostMessageApi.js file where the postData() function implements a dangerous configuration that exposes sensitive data to unauthorized domains. The flaw manifests through improper implementation of the postMessage() API call, which serves as a fundamental building block for secure cross-origin communication in web applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the explicit use of the wildcard character (*) as the targetOrigin parameter when invoking postMessage() on the parent object. This configuration violates core security principles governing cross-origin resource sharing and message passing between different domains. According to the CWE catalog, this represents a variant of CWE-200, Information Exposure, and more specifically aligns with CWE-345, Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity. The wildcard targetOrigin parameter eliminates the security boundary that should normally prevent unauthorized domains from intercepting messages sent through the postMessage API, creating an attack surface that allows any domain to establish a connection with the vulnerable iframe and potentially access sensitive information transmitted through the messaging channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a pathway for sophisticated attacks that could compromise user data and application integrity. An attacker could leverage this flaw by hosting a malicious domain that loads the vulnerable application within a magical iframe, thereby gaining access to messages that should remain confined to authorized domains. This scenario particularly threatens applications that rely on xdLocalStorage for maintaining session state, user preferences, or other sensitive data that gets transmitted through the postMessage mechanism. The vulnerability effectively undermines the security model of the iframe-based communication system, allowing for potential data exfiltration, session hijacking, or further exploitation through the information gained from intercepted messages.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could craft malicious domains to exploit this flaw. The vulnerability also relates to T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1555.003 for Credentials from Password Stores, as the intercepted messages might contain authentication tokens or credentials that could be leveraged for further unauthorized access. Organizations using xdLocalStorage in their applications face significant risk of credential theft and data breaches, particularly in environments where sensitive information flows through iframe-based communication channels. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no sophisticated exploitation techniques beyond hosting a malicious domain, making it accessible to threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the xdLocalStorage library to version 2.0.6 or later, which addresses the wildcard targetOrigin issue by implementing proper origin validation. Security teams should also implement Content Security Policy headers that restrict iframe loading from unauthorized domains and conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar postMessage implementations that might expose similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing strict origin validation mechanisms within their applications and monitor for unauthorized domains attempting to establish communication with iframe-based components. The fix should enforce specific origin validation rather than relying on wildcard parameters, ensuring that only trusted domains can receive messages through the postMessage API. Regular security assessments of third-party libraries and components should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader application ecosystem.