CVE-2020-36644 in Inline SVG
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2023
A vulnerability has been found in jamesmartin Inline SVG up to 1.7.1 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file lib/inline_svg/action_view/helpers.rb of the component URL Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument filename leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 1.7.2 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is f5363b351508486021f99e083c92068cf2943621. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217597 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36644 affects the jamesmartin Inline SVG gem version 1.7.1 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the URL parameter handler functionality. This security flaw resides in the lib/inline_svg/action_view/helpers.rb file where the filename argument processing creates an exploitable condition. The vulnerability is classified as problematic due to its potential to allow remote code execution through malicious input manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in web applications that process user-supplied data.
The technical flaw manifests when the filename parameter is improperly handled within the inline SVG rendering process, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser. This vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where input validation and output encoding mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-provided data. The attack vector is remote, meaning malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant concern for web applications that utilize the affected gem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive user data, or redirect users to malicious sites. When applications using the inline_svg gem process user-provided filenames or URLs, they become susceptible to exploitation, potentially compromising the entire web application ecosystem. This vulnerability particularly affects Ruby on Rails applications that incorporate inline SVG functionality and rely on the jamesmartin gem for SVG rendering capabilities.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.7.2 of the jamesmartin Inline SVG gem, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash f5363b351508486021f99e083c92068cf2943621. This upgrade addresses the core issue by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms for filename parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy implementations to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for script injection, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security measures that address both the specific vulnerability and broader exploitation patterns.
Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as part of their regular maintenance procedures, particularly in applications that process user-uploaded content or dynamic URL parameters. The vulnerability's classification as remote and its potential for significant impact make it a critical candidate for immediate remediation. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other instances where similar input handling patterns might exist within their codebase, as the underlying architectural issues that enabled this vulnerability could potentially manifest elsewhere in the application stack.