CVE-2022-4591 in toto
Summary
by MITRE • 12/18/2022
A vulnerability was found in mschaef toto up to 1.4.20. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component Email Parameter Handler. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 1.4.21 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 1f27f37c1a06f54a76971f70eaa6139dc139bdf9. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-216178 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4591 affects the mschaef toto email parameter handler component, specifically impacting versions up to 1.4.20. This cross-site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that process email parameters. The vulnerability exists within the email parameter handler functionality where user-supplied email data is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed and rendered in web interfaces. The flaw allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of a victim's browser, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the email parameter handling module. When email addresses or related parameters are processed through the toto component, the system fails to adequately sanitize user inputs, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject script tags or other executable code. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from inadequate input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning attackers can initiate attacks without requiring physical access to the system or direct interaction with the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4591 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session manipulation, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the core email parameter processing functionality, which is likely used in various web applications that handle user email submissions, contact forms, or email notification systems. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the toto component for email handling, as successful exploitation could compromise user sessions, exfiltrate confidential data, or provide attackers with persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under T1566, specifically targeting credential access through social engineering and web application attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement the recommended upgrade to version 1.4.21, which includes the patch identified by commit hash 1f27f37c1a06f54a76971f70eaa6139dc139bdf9. This update addresses the core sanitization issues within the email parameter handler by implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The patch specifically targets the XSS vulnerability by ensuring that all email parameter inputs are properly escaped before being rendered in web contexts, preventing malicious scripts from executing. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive testing to verify that the upgrade does not introduce any regressions in email handling functionality while ensuring that all email parameter processing now properly validates and sanitizes user inputs according to security best practices.