CVE-2020-1933 in NiFi
Summary
by MITRE
A XSS vulnerability was found in Apache NiFi 1.0.0 to 1.10.0. Malicious scripts could be injected to the UI through action by an unaware authenticated user in Firefox. Did not appear to occur in other browsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1933 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Apache NiFi versions ranging from 1.0.0 through 1.10.0. This security weakness specifically affects the web-based user interface of the data integration platform, where malicious actors can inject harmful scripts into the system. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users interact with specific elements within the NiFi interface, particularly in Firefox browser environments where the attack vector proves effective. The flaw resides in the improper validation and sanitization of user-supplied input that gets rendered back to the browser without adequate security measures to prevent script execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the NiFi web application's rendering pipeline. When users perform certain actions within the interface, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize data that gets displayed back to the browser, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed as JavaScript code. This particular weakness aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability specifically impacts the NiFi user interface components that handle dynamic content generation, where user-provided data flows through the system without proper security filtering before being rendered in the browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1933 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated user sessions. This means that a malicious actor who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive data, modify workflows, manipulate data flows, or even escalate privileges within the NiFi environment. The restriction to Firefox browser usage suggests that the vulnerability may be related to how Firefox handles specific HTML elements or JavaScript execution contexts differently from other browsers, making the exploitation more targeted but potentially more dangerous within Firefox environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to NiFi systems, particularly in enterprise environments where NiFi is used for critical data processing and integration tasks.
Organizations utilizing Apache NiFi within their data processing infrastructure should prioritize immediate remediation through official security updates provided by the Apache Software Foundation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Apache NiFi version 1.11.0 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network-level security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not replace proper software updates. Security teams should also conduct thorough review of existing NiFi configurations and user access controls to minimize potential attack surface, while monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in data integration platforms, where compromised systems can lead to widespread data exposure and operational disruption. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through web applications, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape.