CVE-2023-26445 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2023
Frontend themes are defined by user-controllable jslob settings and could point to a malicious resource which gets processed during login. Malicious script code can be executed within the victims context. This can lead to session hijacking or triggering unwanted actions via the web interface and API. To exploit this an attacker would require temporary access to the users account or lure a user to a compromised account. We now sanitize the theme value and use a default fallback if no theme matches. No publicly available exploits are known.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26445 represents a critical security flaw in frontend theme handling mechanisms that allows for arbitrary code execution through user-controllable javascript object literal (jslob) settings. This vulnerability exists within the authentication and session management framework where theme configurations are processed during the login sequence, creating an execution path that enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the victim's browser context. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of theme parameters that are typically user-defined, allowing attackers to manipulate these settings to point to malicious resources that are then processed during the authentication flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling and code injection patterns, specifically aligning with CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting and CWE-94 Code Injection. The attack vector requires an attacker to gain temporary access to a user account or to entice a user to interact with a compromised account, making this a session-based privilege escalation vulnerability. During the login process, when the system processes the theme configuration, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the jslob settings, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of the authenticated user. This creates a persistent threat where the malicious code can manipulate the victim's session state, potentially leading to full account compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass broader security implications including unauthorized actions via web interface and API endpoints. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions that the legitimate user has authorization for, potentially leading to data exfiltration, account manipulation, or privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires either temporary access to a user's credentials or social engineering to lure users into interacting with compromised accounts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may be targeted through phishing campaigns or credential compromise. The fact that no publicly available exploits are known at the time of reporting suggests this vulnerability may be relatively new or actively being exploited in targeted attacks, highlighting the importance of proactive security measures.
The remediation approach implemented addresses the core issue by introducing proper sanitization of theme values and establishing a default fallback mechanism for theme configurations that do not match expected patterns. This solution follows secure coding principles by implementing input validation and ensuring that only predefined, trusted theme values are processed, effectively eliminating the attack surface for malicious jslob settings. The default fallback mechanism ensures that even if an attacker manages to manipulate theme parameters, the system will revert to a safe, default theme rather than processing potentially malicious content. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, ensuring that user-controllable inputs are properly validated and sanitized before being processed within the application's core functionality. The fix also demonstrates adherence to security best practices by implementing proper error handling and input validation that prevents the execution of unauthorized code during critical authentication processes.