CVE-2022-2014 in drawio
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2022
Code Injection in GitHub repository jgraph/drawio prior to 19.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2014 represents a critical code injection flaw discovered in the jgraph/drawio GitHub repository, affecting versions prior to 19.0.2. This repository serves as the foundation for the popular drawio diagramming application, which is widely used for creating various types of technical diagrams and flowcharts. The vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-provided input during the processing of diagram files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the software. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes certain diagram elements that contain embedded code or script content without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the drawio application's parsing logic. When users import or create diagrams containing specially crafted malicious payloads within diagram elements, the application fails to properly filter or escape these inputs before processing them. This allows attackers to inject executable code that gets executed within the context of the application's runtime environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through diagram files that appear legitimate to users, making detection and prevention challenging. The flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of how unvalidated user input can lead to arbitrary code execution in web applications and desktop software.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2014 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to the underlying system where drawio is running. This could enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, or use the vulnerable system as a launchpad for further attacks within a network environment. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on drawio for diagram creation, particularly those in environments where diagram files might be shared between users or imported from external sources. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious diagram files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, would automatically execute malicious code. The attack vector typically involves social engineering elements where users are tricked into opening seemingly legitimate diagram files that contain hidden malicious payloads.
Organizations using jgraph/drawio versions prior to 19.0.2 should implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to version 19.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent code injection attacks. Additionally, administrators should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for diagram files imported from external sources, and consider implementing network-level restrictions that prevent access to potentially malicious code repositories. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious diagram file activities and implement user awareness training to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might involve malicious diagram files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for code injection techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized code and establish secure coding practices for handling user-provided input to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications.