CVE-2023-48244 in Nexo Cordless Nutrunner
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to inject and execute arbitrary client-side script code inside a victim’s session via a crafted URL or HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into victim sessions through carefully crafted URLs or HTTP requests. The vulnerability falls under the category of persistent or reflected cross-site scripting attacks, where malicious code can be executed within the victim's browser context without their knowledge or consent. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious script code within URL parameters, HTTP headers, or other request components that are then processed and rendered by the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and output encoding, creating a pathway for attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims. The security implications extend beyond simple script execution as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, conduct session hijacking, or launch more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers craft malicious URLs or HTTP requests containing script payloads that are then executed in the victim's browser context, often leveraging techniques such as html encoding, javascript escape sequences, or other obfuscation methods to bypass initial detection mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates entirely on the client-side, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring or firewall solutions. This weakness can be classified under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input that gets rendered in web pages. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture where input validation and output encoding mechanisms are insufficient or completely absent. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, unauthorized access to sensitive data, and potential lateral movement within affected networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48244 extends far beyond immediate script execution capabilities and can result in significant business and security consequences for affected organizations. Victims may experience unauthorized access to their accounts, data breaches, session hijacking, and potential compromise of entire user bases if the vulnerability affects a widely used application. The attack can be amplified through social engineering techniques where attackers distribute malicious URLs through phishing campaigns or compromised websites, making the attack surface much larger than initially apparent. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences if user data is compromised through such attacks. The vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the installation of malware within user environments. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with multiple tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access through web application attacks and privilege escalation through session manipulation.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary defense involves implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This includes implementing proper content security policies, using secure coding practices, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses throughout the application. Organizations should also implement proper session management practices, including secure session token generation, proper session timeout mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious activities. The implementation of security headers such as x-content-type-options, x-frame-options, and content-security-policy can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security awareness training for development teams and implementation of secure coding standards can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during the software development lifecycle. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and ensure rapid deployment of patches when available.