CVE-2021-36739 in Pluto
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2022
The "first name" and "last name" fields of the Apache Pluto 3.1.0 MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype are vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-36739 affects Apache Pluto 3.1.0 MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype where the first name and last name fields are susceptible to cross-site scripting attacks. This represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the input handling mechanisms within the MVCBean JSP portlet archetype, which is commonly used in portal environments for developing web applications. The affected component processes user input through the first name and last name fields without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities.
This XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where a web application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The attack vector occurs when untrusted data is directly rendered in web responses without proper encoding or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in portal environments where multiple users interact with shared applications and where the MVCBean archetype serves as a foundational component for building portlets that handle user information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user data, deface web applications, or redirect users to malicious websites. In portal environments using Apache Pluto, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user sessions, potentially compromising the entire portal infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the user authentication and profile management aspects of the application, making it particularly dangerous for environments where user identity and access control are critical components. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple input manipulation of the name fields, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-36739 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being processed or displayed in web applications. The recommended approach involves applying proper HTML encoding to all dynamic content rendered in web pages, particularly in fields that accept user input such as first name and last name. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the use of web application vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of Apache Pluto, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their portal infrastructure. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that input validation is properly implemented across all affected fields and that existing security controls are sufficient to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.