CVE-2022-0877 in BookStack
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2022
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository bookstackapp/bookstack prior to v22.02.3.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0877 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the bookstackapp/bookstack repository management system. This vulnerability affects versions prior to v22.02.3 and exposes the application to malicious code injection attacks that persist across user sessions. The flaw resides in how the application processes and stores user input, specifically within the repository's content handling mechanisms. When malicious actors exploit this vulnerability, they can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising their sessions and data integrity. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payloads are permanently embedded within the application's database or storage systems, making the attack vector particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the bookstack application's content management features. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that include script tags or other XSS vectors within repository metadata, comments, or content fields. These payloads are then stored in the application's backend systems and executed whenever other users view the affected content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in data sanitization and input processing, where user-supplied content is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web pages. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute with the privileges of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0877 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains within the repository environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive repository information, manipulate content, or establish persistent access through session hijacking. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even after the initial attack, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who interact with the compromised content, creating a persistent threat vector. This vulnerability particularly impacts collaborative environments where multiple users share repositories and access sensitive documentation. The attack surface includes repository administrators, contributors, and viewers who may inadvertently execute malicious code when accessing affected content. Organizations relying on bookstack for documentation management face significant risks including intellectual property exposure, compliance violations, and potential data breaches that could compromise their entire documentation ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0877 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to v22.02.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the stored XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious content from being stored or executed. The remediation process should include thorough security testing of repository content and user input handling. Security measures should align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and penetration testing of repository environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities. Implementation of proper access controls and user privilege management can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input sanitization practices in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content in collaborative environments.