CVE-2022-24347 in YouTrack
Summary
by MITRE • 02/25/2022
JetBrains YouTrack before 2021.4.36872 was vulnerable to stored XSS via a project icon.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24347 affects JetBrains YouTrack versions prior to 2021.4.36872 and represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the project icon functionality within the platform. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with permission to modify project settings to inject malicious scripts into project icons that persist in the system and execute when other users view the affected projects. The flaw exists in the input validation and output encoding mechanisms of the YouTrack application where user-supplied icon data is not properly sanitized before being stored and rendered in web interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of project icon uploads, particularly when these icons contain embedded script tags or malicious payloads. When administrators or authorized users upload project icons, the application fails to adequately validate or escape the content, allowing attackers to embed javascript code within image metadata or upload malicious files that appear benign but contain executable code. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the web interface where project icons are displayed, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code executes in the context of the victim's browser session with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage the persistent nature of stored XSS to maintain long-term access to compromised YouTrack instances, especially in environments where project icons are frequently viewed by multiple users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise settings where YouTrack serves as a central issue tracking and project management platform, as it could provide attackers with access to sensitive project data, user information, and potentially escalate to broader system compromise through the execution of additional payloads.
Organizations using affected versions of JetBrains YouTrack should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patch or upgrade to version 2021.4.36872 or later. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation for all file uploads, implementation of proper output encoding for all user-generated content, and regular security scanning of uploaded files for malicious content. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads, while also establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized icon modifications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a specific implementation weakness that could be exploited through the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file uploads, potentially leading to broader compromise through T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage and T1566.002 for malicious file execution.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when handling user-uploaded content. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their software ecosystems. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical in maintaining defense-in-depth strategies against such persistent threats, as the stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that successful exploitation can persist long after initial compromise, making continuous monitoring and timely patch deployment essential for maintaining secure YouTrack environments.