CVE-2021-45479 in Library Automation System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation vulnerability in Yordam Information Technologies Library Automation System allows Stored XSS.
This issue affects Library Automation System: before 19.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
The CVE-2021-45479 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Library Automation System developed by Yordam Information Technologies, specifically impacting versions prior to 19.2. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper neutralization of input during web page generation, which constitutes a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently documented in industry standards including CWE-79. The flaw manifests as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability, meaning that malicious input injected into the system can persist and be executed against other users who access the affected web pages. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to complete account compromise or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the web page generation process of the library automation system where user input is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages. When users submit data through forms or other input mechanisms within the system, the application fails to adequately neutralize potentially malicious content that could contain script tags or other XSS payload elements. This improper handling allows an attacker to store malicious code within the system's database or application storage, which then gets executed whenever other users view the affected pages. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent and can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated injection attempts, making it particularly insidious in multi-user environments such as library systems where multiple staff members or patrons may interact with the same data.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-45479 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a vector for more sophisticated attacks that can leverage the compromised system's privileges. In a library automation environment, this vulnerability could enable attackers to access patron records, manipulate library catalog data, or even gain administrative access to the system. The stored XSS nature means that an attacker could potentially inject scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables the execution of malicious JavaScript code within user browsers. The impact is particularly concerning in library environments where sensitive patron information is stored and where the system may be used by staff with elevated privileges, potentially allowing for privilege escalation attacks that could compromise the entire library management infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing the affected Library Automation System should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patches or updates to version 19.2 and later. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's web page generation process, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being stored or rendered in web contexts. Security controls should be implemented to enforce the principle of least privilege, limiting the execution of potentially malicious code to the minimum necessary scope. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify any similar input validation flaws within the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten 2021, specifically addressing the A03:2021-Injection category, which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent various injection attacks including XSS vulnerabilities.