CVE-2023-6002 in YugabyteDB
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2023
YugabyteDB is vulnerable to cross site scripting (XSS) via log injection. Writing invalidated user input to log files can allow an attacker to forge log entries or inject malicious content into the logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2023
YugabyteDB presents a cross site scripting vulnerability through log injection mechanisms that exposes the system to persistent security risks. This vulnerability stems from the database management system's handling of user input within its logging infrastructure, where improperly validated data enters the system's log files without adequate sanitization. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject crafted content into log entries that can subsequently be rendered in web interfaces, creating an avenue for attackers to execute cross site scripting attacks against unsuspecting users who view these log files through web-based management tools. The vulnerability specifically manifests when user-supplied data containing malicious scripts or HTML content is written to log files without proper input validation or output encoding, enabling attackers to manipulate the logging system as a vector for web-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the database's logging subsystem processing untrusted input without sufficient sanitization measures. When users interact with the YugabyteDB interface or submit data through various application layers, the system writes this information to log files without proper escaping or encoding of special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This creates a persistent injection point where attackers can embed malicious payloads within log entries that will execute when these logs are subsequently displayed in web browsers through the database management interface. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of log injection attacks that leverage the trust placed in system logs as legitimate data sources, making it particularly dangerous because logs are often viewed by administrators and users who expect them to contain only benign system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cross site scripting execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can craft malicious log entries that, when viewed by administrators, execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The persistent nature of log files means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious content, the vulnerability remains active until the logs are rotated or cleared, providing extended attack windows. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on web-based interfaces for database management and monitoring, where log files are frequently accessed through browser-based tools. The attack surface is amplified when considering that logs often contain sensitive operational data, making the potential for information disclosure and further compromise significantly higher.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the logging pipeline. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being written to log files, implementing strict character encoding and HTML escaping to prevent malicious content from being stored in log entries. The system should employ proper logging practices that separate log data from display content, ensuring that log files contain only raw operational data without any embedded executable code. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to restrict who can view log files, and web-based log viewers should implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent script execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross site scripting flaws, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as the log injection can serve as a delivery mechanism for malicious content. Regular log file monitoring and automated scanning for suspicious patterns should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while proper security training for administrators can help identify and respond to such attacks more effectively.