CVE-2023-3085 in luci
Summary
by MITRE • 06/03/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in X-WRT luci up to 22.10_b202303061504. This issue affects the function run_action of the file modules/luci-base/ucode/dispatcher.uc of the component 404 Error Template Handler. The manipulation of the argument request_path leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 22.10_b202303121313 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 24d7da2416b9ab246825c33c213fe939a89b369c. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-230663.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3085 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the X-WRT luci web interface framework. This issue resides in the 404 Error Template Handler component, specifically within the run_action function of the modules/luci-base/ucode/dispatcher.uc file. The flaw manifests when the request_path argument is manipulated, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application's error handling mechanism. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning that an attacker can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the device or local network presence. This presents a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on the X-WRT luci interface for device management and configuration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the 404 error template processing. When a malformed request_path parameter is passed to the run_action function, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the error template. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that will execute in the context of authenticated users who view the error page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where the application fails to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the application's own error handling mechanism to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more difficult and exploitation more likely to succeed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the affected network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to network devices, modify configurations, or steal sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the broader X-WRT ecosystem and impacts any device running the affected luci version, making it a critical concern for network administrators managing multiple devices. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet, without requiring direct network access to the affected devices. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing attachments and links, as the XSS could be delivered through maliciously crafted URLs that lead to the vulnerable error handler.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 22.10_b202303121313, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash 24d7da2416b9ab246825c33c213fe939a89b369c. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the run_action function. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as a critical security measure, particularly for devices that are exposed to untrusted networks or have administrative access to sensitive network infrastructure. Additional defensive measures may include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, monitoring network traffic for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of the affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all application components, especially those handling user input in error processing scenarios.