CVE-2021-38428 in DIALink
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior is vulnerable to cross-site scripting because an authenticated attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the parameter name of the API schedule, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior contain a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation within the API schedule parameter handling. This vulnerability specifically affects the name parameter where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered within the application's web interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can execute within the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious payload is delivered through the API endpoint and subsequently executed when the victim accesses the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with valid credentials can leverage this weakness to compromise other users within the same system. The attack vector is facilitated through the API schedule functionality, which processes the name parameter without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories. The potential for remote code execution emerges from the ability to manipulate the JavaScript execution context within the victim's browser, which can be leveraged to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized operations within the application's context. The authenticated nature of the attack reduces the attack surface complexity but still presents a significant risk as it can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised legitimate users. Organizations using DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 or earlier should immediately implement security patches provided by Delta Electronics, while also considering network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious JavaScript payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when handling user-supplied data that will be rendered within browser contexts. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unusual API usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include not only patching the specific vulnerability but also reviewing the application's overall security architecture to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.