CVE-2022-31300 in Haraj
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
A cross-site scripting vulnerability in the DM Section component of Haraj v3.7 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31300 resides within the DM Section component of Haraj v3.7, a popular platform for classified advertisements and community discussions. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user interactions and data protection mechanisms. The affected component specifically handles direct messaging functionality, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit user trust and session contexts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's message handling system, creating an opening for attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted POST requests that contain malicious script payloads within the DM Section parameters. When legitimate users view the affected messages, the injected scripts execute in their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on their behalf. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web pages. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics of a server-side XSS vulnerability where the malicious input is processed and stored on the server before being served to other users, making the impact more severe and persistent than client-side injection attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-31300 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to compromise user accounts and manipulate the platform's messaging functionality. Users who receive compromised messages may unknowingly execute malicious code that can harvest sensitive information, modify message content, or establish persistent backdoors within the application. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged for account takeover attacks, particularly when combined with other reconnaissance efforts. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of messaging platforms where users trust the content they receive, making social engineering aspects more effective when combined with the technical exploitation. Organizations implementing this vulnerability can expect to see increased incidents of user data compromise, platform reputation damage, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-31300 should focus on comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the DM Section component. Implementing proper sanitization of user inputs, including message content, usernames, and metadata fields, will prevent malicious scripts from being stored and executed. The application should employ context-specific output encoding for all dynamic content, particularly when rendering user-generated messages in web pages. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ensuring that the fix addresses both the immediate vulnerability and prevents similar issues in related components. Organizations should also consider implementing user education initiatives to help identify potentially compromised messages and establish incident response procedures for handling XSS-related security events.