CVE-2023-34245 in plate-link
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
@udecode/plate-link is the link handler for the udecode/plate rich-text editor plugin system for Slate & React. Affected versions of the link plugin and link UI component do not sanitize URLs to prevent use of the `javascript:` scheme. As a result, links with JavaScript URLs can be inserted into the Plate editor through various means, including opening or pasting malicious content. `@udecode/plate-link` 20.0.0 resolves this issue by introducing an `allowedSchemes` option to the link plugin, defaulting to `['http', 'https', 'mailto', 'tel']`. URLs using a scheme that isn't in this list will not be rendered to the DOM. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade are advised to override the `LinkElement` and `PlateFloatingLink` components with implementations that explicitly check the URL scheme before rendering any anchor elements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-34245 affects the @udecode/plate-link package, a critical component within the udecode/plate rich-text editor ecosystem that integrates with Slate and React frameworks. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in how the editor handles URL validation and sanitization, particularly concerning the javascript: scheme that can be exploited to execute malicious code within the context of the application. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the link plugin and its associated UI components, creating an attack vector that allows adversaries to inject potentially harmful JavaScript URLs into the rich-text editing environment.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper URL scheme validation within the link handling mechanism. When users paste or input content containing links with javascript: URLs, the system fails to sanitize these inputs before rendering them to the DOM. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which addresses Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, and specifically represents a case where user-controllable data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser context. The vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code through crafted links, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing other malicious payloads within the context of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks, as it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including pasting malicious content, opening compromised documents, or even through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into clicking malicious links within the editor interface. The vulnerability affects all versions of @udecode/plate-link prior to version 20.0.0, making it a widespread concern for organizations and developers who rely on this rich-text editing solution for content management, collaborative editing, or any application where users can input untrusted content. The attack surface is particularly concerning in web applications where multiple users interact with the same editing environment, as a single compromised link can affect all users within that context.
The remediation approach introduced in version 20.0.0 addresses the vulnerability through a robust configuration-based solution that implements an allowedSchemes option within the link plugin. This approach provides administrators and developers with granular control over which URL schemes are permitted within the editor, defaulting to a secure set of schemes including http, https, mailto, and tel while explicitly blocking potentially dangerous schemes like javascript. This solution aligns with the principle of least privilege and input validation practices recommended by security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten. Organizations unable to immediately upgrade can implement custom overrides of the LinkElement and PlateFloatingLink components to enforce explicit URL scheme checking before rendering anchor elements, providing a viable mitigation strategy while maintaining application functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in rich-text editors and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party components within web applications, particularly those that handle user-generated content and potentially untrusted inputs.