CVE-2022-24181 in Open Journals System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
Cross-site scripting (XSS) via Host Header injection in PKP Open Journals System 2.4.8 >= 3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitary code via the X-Forwarded-Host Header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The CVE-2022-24181 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PKP Open Journals System versions 2.4.8 through 3.3, specifically exploiting Host Header injection techniques that enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through manipulation of the X-Forwarded-Host HTTP header. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of HTTP headers, particularly where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the Host header information that is often used for generating absolute URLs and redirects within the application. The flaw manifests when the application processes the X-Forwarded-Host header without adequate input validation, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP headers that are commonly used in load balancer and reverse proxy configurations. When the Open Journals System processes the X-Forwarded-Host header, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, creating an injection point where attackers can insert malicious JavaScript code. This injection can occur because the application directly incorporates the header value into generated URLs and redirects without appropriate sanitization measures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting weakness, specifically involving improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection through web application inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized modifications to journal content. An attacker could craft malicious headers that when processed by the vulnerable system would cause the application to generate malicious URLs containing script tags, which would then be executed whenever users navigate to affected pages. This creates a persistent threat where legitimate users could unknowingly execute malicious payloads, and the vulnerability affects all users of the affected Open Journals System versions, including administrators, authors, and readers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through standard HTTP header manipulation, requiring minimal privileges and no special access to the application's backend systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24181 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of HTTP headers, particularly the X-Forwarded-Host header, before any processing occurs within the application. Organizations should ensure that the application properly validates and sanitizes all header inputs, rejecting or escaping any characters that could be used for script injection. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist validation mechanism for header values, ensuring that only expected and safe hostnames are accepted. Additionally, organizations should update to the latest patched versions of the Open Journals System, as version 3.3.1 and later contain fixes for this vulnerability. Network-level mitigations should include implementing proper header sanitization at reverse proxy or load balancer levels, and organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices, specifically those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing XSS vulnerabilities through proper input validation and output encoding.