CVE-2022-25349 in materialize-css
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2022
All versions of package materialize-css are vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting (XSS) due to improper escape of user input (such as <not-a-tag />) that is being parsed as HTML/JavaScript, and inserted into the Document Object Model (DOM). This vulnerability can be exploited when the user-input is provided to the autocomplete component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25349 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the materialize-css package affecting all its versions. This flaw resides within the autocomplete component where user-provided input fails to undergo proper sanitization before being inserted into the DOM structure. The vulnerability stems from the library's inadequate handling of specially crafted input sequences that contain HTML entities such as the malformed tag notation <not-a-tag /> which should be treated as innocuous user data but instead gets processed as executable code. The improper escaping mechanism allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript payloads that can execute within the context of other users' browsers when the vulnerable component renders the untrusted input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the autocomplete functionality where user input is directly incorporated into HTML content without proper sanitization measures. When the library processes user-provided data containing HTML entities or script tags, it fails to properly encode these inputs according to web application security standards. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into web page content without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector specifically targets the DOM manipulation process where the library's internal HTML construction routines do not adequately sanitize input before insertion, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute with the privileges of the victim user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the affected web applications. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows threat actors to steal cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely-used CSS framework that many web applications depend upon for their user interface components. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create persistent XSS attacks that remain active as long as the vulnerable application continues to use the affected library version. The attack can be initiated through various means including direct input manipulation, crafted URLs, or even through social engineering techniques that prompt users to enter malicious data into the autocomplete fields.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from developers and system administrators who rely on materialize-css in their applications. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to the latest version of the package where the XSS sanitization has been properly implemented and tested. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where the vulnerable library is integrated into their web applications and ensure that input validation and sanitization mechanisms are properly configured. Security teams should implement content security policies that restrict script execution and prevent the injection of unauthorized code into web pages. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices such as implementing proper input validation, using secure coding libraries for HTML encoding, and regularly monitoring for updates to third-party dependencies. The remediation process should include thorough regression testing to ensure that the fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while maintaining the intended user experience of the autocomplete components.