CVE-2020-21485 in Alluxio
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2023
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in Alluxio v.1.8.1 allows a remote attacker to executea arbitrary code via the path parameter in the browse board component.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The Cross Site Scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-21485 affects Alluxio version 1.8.1 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through the path parameter within the browse board component. This vulnerability resides in the web interface of Alluxio, a distributed storage system designed to unify data access across various storage systems. The browse board component serves as the primary user interface for navigating and viewing file structures within the distributed file system, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the path parameter handling mechanism. When users interact with the browse board component, the system fails to properly sanitize user-provided path inputs before rendering them in the web interface. This omission creates a condition where maliciously crafted path parameters containing script code can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies Cross Site Scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the web application's user interface rendering logic where the path parameter is processed and displayed without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Alluxio environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data stored within the distributed file system, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire storage infrastructure. The vulnerability affects all users who have access to the browse board component, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where different users share the same system. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by unsuspecting users, automatically execute malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even modify file contents through the Alluxio API.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-21485 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Alluxio web interface. Organizations should upgrade to Alluxio versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the maintainers have released patched versions that properly sanitize path parameters before rendering them in the user interface. The fix should implement strict input validation that rejects or escapes potentially dangerous characters and sequences that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path parameter patterns, and conduct regular security assessments of the Alluxio web interface to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in user browsers. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the distributed storage environment.