CVE-2023-33799 in Netbox
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2023
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Create Contacts (/tenancy/contacts/) function of Netbox v3.5.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via a crafted payload injected into the Name field.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2023
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33799 resides within the Netbox network management platform version 3.5.1, specifically within the Create Contacts functionality located at the /tenancy/contacts/ endpoint. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to persistently inject malicious scripts into the application's database through user input fields. The vulnerability is classified as a stored XSS attack because the malicious payload is not only executed immediately but is also stored within the application's backend database, making it persistent and capable of affecting multiple users over time. The attack vector specifically targets the Name field within the contact creation process, where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code and submits it through the Name field during contact creation. When other users view the contact information, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices, where the application fails to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within HTML contexts. The attack is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate application functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious user interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire user sessions and potentially provide attackers with elevated privileges within the Netbox environment. An attacker could use this vulnerability to steal administrative credentials, access sensitive network information, or manipulate contact data to redirect communications to malicious endpoints. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains effective until the malicious payload is removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who view the compromised contact records. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious code to gain access to a system, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol traffic encryption. The impact is particularly severe in network management environments where Netbox serves as a central repository for critical infrastructure information and contact details.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33799 should prioritize immediate patching of the Netbox application to version 3.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures across all user input fields, particularly those that are rendered back to users in HTML contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security audits and input sanitization testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that may indicate XSS attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing throughout the software development lifecycle and demonstrates the critical need for maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known security flaws.