CVE-2022-0177 in three.js
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2022
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - DOM in GitHub repository mrdoob/three.js prior to 0.137.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0177 represents a cross-site scripting flaw classified as a DOM-based XSS vulnerability within the popular three.js JavaScript library. This issue affects versions prior to 0.137.0 and was discovered in the mrdoob/three.js repository, which is widely used for 3D graphics rendering in web applications. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-provided input within the library's DOM manipulation functions, creating an attack surface where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw manifests when the three.js library processes certain input parameters that are subsequently used in DOM operations without adequate sanitization or encoding. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through parameters that are meant to control 3D scene elements, camera settings, or other runtime configurations. The vulnerability operates at the DOM level rather than the server-side, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through client-side interactions without requiring server-side compromise. The flaw is categorized under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which focuses on Exploitation for Client Execution through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations and developers utilizing three.js in their web applications. Any application that incorporates three.js and accepts user input through parameters that are processed by the library becomes susceptible to XSS attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal user sessions, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface web applications. The widespread adoption of three.js in web-based 3D graphics applications means that numerous websites and web applications could be compromised, including gaming platforms, educational tools, architectural visualization sites, and interactive data visualization dashboards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0177 require immediate action to upgrade to three.js version 0.137.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation for all parameters passed to three.js functions, particularly those related to scene configuration, animation parameters, and user interface elements. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, using proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications that utilize the library. Security teams should also monitor for any potential bypass techniques or related vulnerabilities that may emerge from similar DOM-based XSS patterns in the library's ecosystem, as these vulnerabilities often follow predictable attack vectors that can be exploited across similar codebases.