CVE-2021-3853 in chaskiq
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2022
chaskiq is vulnerable to Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3853 affects the chaskiq platform and represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This flaw exists within the web application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic and well-documented XSS vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when chaskiq processes user input through its web interface and fails to properly sanitize or encode the data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious script code into input fields that are then rendered in web pages viewed by other users. This injection typically occurs through parameters, form fields, or API endpoints where user data is accepted and subsequently displayed without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability can be leveraged to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially sensitive data within the chaskiq platform. When successfully exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to establish a foothold within the application environment where they can monitor user activities, steal authentication tokens, modify content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that chaskiq is a customer engagement platform that likely handles sensitive user data, personal information, and business communications. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including reflected XSS where malicious scripts are reflected back to users through URL parameters, or stored XSS where the malicious code is permanently stored within the application's database and executed whenever affected pages are loaded.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-3853 must address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention measures. The primary solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This includes employing proper HTML encoding, JavaScript encoding, and context-appropriate output sanitization techniques. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish proper input validation at multiple layers including client-side, server-side, and API endpoints. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The remediation approach should follow established security frameworks and best practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for defending against web application vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on the web application attack techniques that leverage XSS weaknesses to establish persistent access within target environments.