CVE-2020-9390 in SquaredUp
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2021
SquaredUp allowed Stored XSS before version 4.6.0. A user was able to create a dashboard that executed malicious content in iframe or by uploading an SVG that contained a script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9390 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the SquaredUp platform, a business intelligence and dashboard solution widely used for data visualization and monitoring. This vulnerability existed prior to version 4.6.0 and fundamentally compromised the security posture of systems relying on the platform for critical operational dashboards and data presentation. The flaw allowed malicious actors to inject persistent script code that would execute whenever authorized users accessed affected dashboards, creating a persistent threat vector that could escalate beyond simple data theft to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within SquaredUp's dashboard creation and SVG handling components. Attackers could leverage this weakness by creating malicious dashboards that contained embedded scripts within iframe elements or by uploading specially crafted SVG files that included executable JavaScript code. The vulnerability specifically targeted the platform's rendering engine which failed to properly sanitize user-supplied content before displaying it to authenticated users. This stored XSS flaw operates by persisting malicious scripts within the application's database or storage mechanisms, ensuring that the malicious code executes every time the affected dashboard is accessed, regardless of the user's session or authentication state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised environment. When authorized users viewed affected dashboards, the malicious scripts would execute in their browser context, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or other authentication credentials. The vulnerability's persistence means that even after initial exploitation, the malicious code continues to execute for any user who accesses the compromised dashboard, creating a continuous threat vector that could affect multiple users over extended periods. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where dashboards are shared among multiple team members and stakeholders.
Organizations utilizing SquaredUp platforms should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including updating to version 4.6.0 or later, which addresses the stored XSS vulnerability through enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additional defensive measures should include implementing strict content security policies that restrict script execution within dashboard environments, conducting thorough security reviews of existing dashboards for malicious content, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized dashboard modifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK framework's TA0001 Initial Access and TA0002 Execution phases, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access and execute arbitrary code within user browsers. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications and dashboard platforms.