CVE-2020-36634 in util
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Indeed Engineering util up to 1.0.33. Affected is the function visit/appendTo of the file varexport/src/main/java/com/indeed/util/varexport/servlet/ViewExportedVariablesServlet.java. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.0.34 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is c0952a9db51a880e9544d9fac2a2218a6bfc9c63. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-216882 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Indeed Engineering util library, specifically affecting versions up to 1.0.33, and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote code execution through the visit/appendTo function in the ViewExportedVariablesServlet.java file. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web applications that utilize this library. The flaw exists in the varexport module's servlet implementation where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic output encoding failure pattern that aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability occurs when the visit/appendTo function processes data without appropriate HTML escaping or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web-based attack vectors. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can craft malicious requests that, when processed by the vulnerable application, will execute the injected scripts in users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session manipulation, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application's security boundaries. When applications using this library are deployed in production environments, the vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring any special privileges or local access. The patch provided in version 1.0.34 addresses this by implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that ensure user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable code. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to version 1.0.34 as the primary mitigation strategy, as this update incorporates the necessary code changes to prevent the injection of malicious scripts through the vulnerable servlet endpoint. The patch identified by commit hash c0952a9db51a880e9544d9fac2a2218a6bfc9c63 specifically targets the root cause by ensuring that all data passed through the visit/appendTo function is properly escaped before rendering in web contexts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, particularly in libraries that are widely distributed and used across multiple applications. The vulnerability classification as problematic underscores the potential for significant security impact when such flaws exist in widely-used components, as they can affect numerous downstream applications that depend on the vulnerable library.