CVE-2023-29043 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2023
Presentations may contain references to images, which are user-controlled, and could include malicious script code that is being processed when editing a document. Script code embedded in malicious documents could be executed in the context of the user editing the document when performing certain actions, like copying content. The relevant attribute does now get encoded to avoid the possibility of executing script code. No publicly available exploits are known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2023
This vulnerability resides in document processing software that handles presentation files containing user-controlled image references. The flaw occurs when applications fail to properly sanitize or encode image attributes that contain user-supplied data, creating an environment where malicious script code can be embedded within image references. When users open or edit presentations containing such malformed image references, the system processes these elements without adequate input validation, potentially executing embedded scripts in the context of the user's session. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where the attack vector involves image attributes rather than traditional web-based inputs, making it particularly insidious as it can be triggered through document editing operations rather than direct web browsing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the processing of image references within presentation files where the application does not properly encode or escape special characters in image attributes. When documents are opened or edited, the system attempts to render or process these image references, but fails to sanitize the user-controlled input before execution. This flaw typically occurs in applications that parse presentation formats such as pptx or similar document structures where image references are stored as attributes within the document markup. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered during routine editing operations like copying content, which means legitimate users could be compromised without actively visiting malicious websites or downloading suspicious files. This aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input is not properly sanitized before being processed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to user systems through document-based attacks. When users perform editing operations on compromised presentations, the malicious script code embedded in image references can execute with the privileges of the user running the application. This could lead to data theft, system compromise, or the installation of additional malware. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users frequently exchange presentation files and may inadvertently execute malicious code during normal document editing workflows. The lack of publicly available exploits does not diminish the severity, as the potential for exploitation exists whenever users open or edit affected presentation files, making this a persistent threat vector that could be weaponized by threat actors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-controlled attributes within document processing applications. Organizations should deploy application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted document files, particularly those containing embedded image references. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately when available, as this vulnerability affects core document processing functionality. The implementation of secure coding practices including proper attribute encoding and input sanitization should be enforced throughout the application development lifecycle. Additionally, user education about the risks of opening untrusted presentation files and the importance of keeping software updated should be emphasized. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 which involves user execution through malicious content, specifically targeting document-based attacks that leverage application execution contexts to deliver malicious payloads.