CVE-2022-41392 in TotalJS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2022
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in TotalJS commit 8c2c8909 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the Website name text field under Main Settings.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2022
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the TotalJS framework at commit 8c2c8909, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the Website name text field located within the Main Settings configuration area, making it accessible through standard administrative interfaces. The flaw allows threat actors to craft malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the TotalJS framework's administrative interface. When administrators or users enter data into the Website name field, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled input can be rendered as executable code within the browser context of legitimate users. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where malicious scripts are injected through the application's input handling mechanisms and subsequently executed when other users view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. Attackers can exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web applications, or even escalate privileges within the administrative interface. The vulnerability's accessibility through the main settings configuration makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers, depending on the application's access controls. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the prevention of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that can lead to session hijacking and data theft.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the TotalJS framework. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before processing or rendering, particularly within administrative interfaces where sensitive configuration data is handled. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution contexts and employ proper HTML escaping techniques when displaying user-entered content. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input fields and application components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common attack pattern documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched versions of TotalJS, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and establishing robust security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.