CVE-2023-45889 in OneClick Extension
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
A Universal Cross Site Scripting (UXSS) vulnerability in ClassLink OneClick Extension through 10.8 allows remote attackers to inject JavaScript into any webpage. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2022-48612.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2023-45889 represents a Universal Cross Site Scripting flaw in ClassLink OneClick Extension versions up to 10.8, constituting a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code across multiple web environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser extension functionality that facilitates single sign-on and identity management services for educational institutions. The issue manifests as an incomplete remediation of a previously identified vulnerability, CVE-2022-48612, which demonstrates a pattern of security regressions in the software's input validation mechanisms. The root cause stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the extension's processing pipeline, allowing attackers to bypass existing security controls that were intended to prevent cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the ClassLink OneClick Extension processes web requests and fails to properly validate or escape input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web page contexts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain JavaScript code, which then gets executed in the context of other websites where the extension is active. The universal nature of this vulnerability means that the injected scripts can potentially affect multiple domains and applications that rely on the extension for authentication and identity services, creating a wide attack surface. This flaw operates at the intersection of browser extension security and web application security, where the extension's elevated privileges and broad access to user sessions create significant risk vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical cross-site scripting scenarios due to the nature of browser extensions and their privileged access to user sessions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive user data, manipulate authentication flows, or redirect users to malicious websites while maintaining persistent access through the compromised extension. The vulnerability affects educational institutions that depend on ClassLink for managing student and staff access to various learning platforms, potentially compromising thousands of user accounts simultaneously. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to educational resources, and potential compliance violations under regulations such as FERPA that govern student privacy in educational environments. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are directed to malicious websites or phishing pages that trigger the exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass immediate patching of the ClassLink OneClick Extension to version 10.9 or later, which contains the proper fix for both CVE-2022-48612 and CVE-2023-45889. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of extension behavior and network traffic to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider temporarily disabling the extension until proper updates are deployed, particularly in environments with high-security requirements. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, Cross-site Scripting, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, Phishing, as attackers often leverage such vulnerabilities in social engineering campaigns. Additionally, organizations should review their extension management policies and implement strict vetting procedures for browser extensions to prevent similar issues in other software components. The incident highlights the importance of thorough regression testing when addressing security vulnerabilities and demonstrates how incomplete fixes can create persistent security risks that may be exploited by threat actors over extended periods.