CVE-2021-3486 in GLPI
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2021
GLPi 9.5.4 does not sanitize the metadata. This way its possible to insert XSS into plugins to execute JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3486 affects GLPi version 9.5.4, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that stems from inadequate metadata sanitization within the application's plugin architecture. This flaw resides in the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data that gets processed through the metadata handling mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code into plugin components. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin ecosystem of GLPi, which serves as a comprehensive IT asset management and service desk solution widely deployed across enterprise environments for tracking hardware, software, and service requests. The lack of proper input validation and sanitization creates a persistent security gap that directly violates core web application security principles and industry standards.
This vulnerability operates through a classic cross-site scripting attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate plugin metadata fields to inject javascript payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The attack exploits the application's insufficient sanitization of metadata parameters that are subsequently rendered in plugin interfaces without proper escaping or encoding. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, specifically manifesting as a stored XSS condition where the malicious code persists in the application's metadata storage and executes whenever affected plugins are accessed. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that GLPi is commonly used in enterprise environments where privileged users frequently access plugin interfaces, making the attack surface particularly dangerous for organizations relying on the platform for critical IT operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-3486 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or access sensitive system information. In enterprise environments where GLPi manages critical infrastructure assets and service requests, this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise through session hijacking or privilege escalation attacks. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as it leverages the existing plugin architecture without requiring complex attack chains. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing, as it could be exploited through malicious plugin metadata delivered via social engineering campaigns targeting GLPi administrators. The vulnerability affects all plugin components that process user-supplied metadata, making it particularly dangerous in environments where third-party plugins are extensively utilized.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of GLPi where available, implementing strict input validation for metadata fields, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payload delivery. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments of plugin ecosystems and comprehensive monitoring of metadata handling processes are essential defensive measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization, particularly in applications that process user-generated content within plugin architectures. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to mitigate the impact of potential XSS attacks and establish robust patch management processes to address similar vulnerabilities in third-party components. The incident underscores the critical need for continuous security testing and validation of web application frameworks to prevent exploitation of similar metadata sanitization flaws across various software platforms.