CVE-2022-23544 in MeterSphere
Summary
by MITRE • 12/28/2022
MeterSphere is a one-stop open source continuous testing platform, covering test management, interface testing, UI testing and performance testing. Versions prior to 2.5.0 are subject to a Server-Side Request Forgery that leads to Cross-Site Scripting. A Server-Side request forgery in `IssueProxyResourceService::getMdImageByUrl` allows an attacker to access internal resources, as well as executing JavaScript code in the context of Metersphere's origin by a victim of a reflected XSS. This vulnerability has been fixed in v2.5.0. There are no known workarounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2022-23544 vulnerability affects MeterSphere, an open-source continuous testing platform that encompasses test management, interface testing, UI testing, and performance testing capabilities. This security flaw represents a critical intersection of server-side request forgery and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that significantly compromises the platform's security posture. The vulnerability exists within the `IssueProxyResourceService::getMdImageByUrl` method, which serves as a critical component for handling image resources within the platform's issue tracking system. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the platform's proxy functionality to access internal network resources while simultaneously executing arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users, creating a dangerous attack surface that could lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the proxy resource service. When the `getMdImageByUrl` method processes external URLs for image retrieval, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that bypass normal access controls. This server-side request forgery mechanism enables attackers to make requests to internal services that would normally be restricted from external access, potentially exposing sensitive internal systems, databases, or network resources. The reflected XSS component emerges when the platform processes user-supplied URLs that contain malicious JavaScript payloads, which then get executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This creates a dangerous chain reaction where attackers can leverage the initial SSRF vulnerability to establish a foothold, then use the XSS component to escalate privileges or steal session cookies, effectively compromising the entire user base.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the MeterSphere platform. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access internal network resources that should remain protected from external threats, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, configuration files, or even administrative interfaces. The reflected XSS component creates a persistent threat vector where authenticated users who view maliciously crafted content could have their sessions hijacked or their browsers redirected to malicious sites. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on MeterSphere for continuous testing operations, as it could enable attackers to compromise the integrity of test results, access confidential testing data, or even manipulate the testing environment itself. The lack of known workarounds means that organizations must upgrade to version 2.5.0 to mitigate the risk, leaving them vulnerable during the transition period.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to MeterSphere version 2.5.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address both the SSRF and XSS components of this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide temporary protection by restricting access to internal resources from the MeterSphere server, though this approach does not address the XSS component. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which describes server-side request forgery vulnerabilities, and also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual outbound requests from the MeterSphere server and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in user-generated content. Additionally, implementing content security policies and input validation controls can help reduce the attack surface, though the primary defense remains the official software upgrade that addresses the root cause of the vulnerability in the proxy resource handling mechanism.