CVE-2023-3026 in drawio
Summary
by MITRE • 06/01/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository jgraph/drawio prior to 21.2.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3026 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the jgraph/drawio repository, a widely used diagramming tool that allows users to create and share visual representations of systems and processes. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 21.2.8 and specifically targets the application's handling of user input within the diagramming interface. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code into the application's database or storage mechanisms, which then executes whenever other users view the affected diagrams. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security where input data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the stored XSS level, meaning that the malicious payload persists in the application's backend storage and affects multiple users over time rather than being limited to a single session or request.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users upload or create diagrams containing malicious script code within attributes, labels, or other editable elements that are subsequently stored in the application's data persistence layer. When other users access these diagrams, the stored malicious code executes in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector typically involves an attacker creating a diagram with embedded JavaScript payloads that exploit the lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the drawio application. This vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in the application's security architecture, as it violates the principle of least privilege and proper input validation that should be enforced at multiple layers of the application stack. The flaw essentially allows attackers to establish a persistent foothold within the application environment, enabling them to execute arbitrary code in the context of other users' browsers and potentially escalate their access to compromise entire user sessions or extract sensitive information from the application's data.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-3026 extends beyond immediate security concerns to encompass significant business and operational risks for organizations relying on the drawio platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive diagrams containing proprietary information, system architectures, network topologies, or other confidential data that users store within the application. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that a single compromised diagram can serve as a vector for ongoing attacks against multiple users, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. Organizations using the affected versions of drawio may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability, as it could violate data protection standards such as gdpr, hipaa, or other applicable regulations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform advanced persistent threat operations, where they can establish backdoors or exfiltrate data over extended periods, making detection and remediation more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-3026 should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to version 21.2.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. Organizations should implement comprehensive security scanning of diagram files before storage, deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads, and establish strict input validation policies for all user-generated content within the application. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could exploit this vulnerability through malicious diagram files shared via email or collaboration platforms. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their diagramming tools and implement defense-in-depth strategies including content security policies, regular security training for users, and monitoring for anomalous diagram creation patterns that might indicate malicious activity. The vulnerability underscores the importance of implementing proper security controls at the application layer, including input sanitization, output encoding, and secure coding practices that prevent the execution of untrusted code in web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can detect and prevent XSS vulnerabilities in user-generated content, as this represents a common attack surface that requires continuous monitoring and protection.