CVE-2024-24556 in urql
Summary
by MITRE • 01/30/2024
urql is a GraphQL client that exposes a set of helpers for several frameworks. The `@urql/next` package is vulnerable to XSS. To exploit this an attacker would need to ensure that the response returns `html` tags and that the web-application is using streamed responses (non-RSC). This vulnerability is due to improper escaping of html-like characters in the response-stream. To fix this vulnerability upgrade to version 1.1.1
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2024
The CVE-2024-24556 vulnerability affects the urql GraphQL client library, specifically the @urql/next package used for Next.js applications. This security flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from inadequate sanitization of HTML content within response streams. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets the core functionality of GraphQL client-side data handling in modern web applications. The issue manifests when applications process streamed responses that contain HTML content, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject harmful scripts into the application's response pipeline.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper escaping of HTML-like characters within the response stream processing. When the urql library encounters HTML content in streamed responses, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML tags or JavaScript code. This deficiency allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically impacts applications using non-React Server Components (RSC) streaming responses, which are common in Next.js applications that require server-side rendering with client-side interactivity. The flaw operates at the data processing layer where response content is transformed before being rendered to the end user, creating a direct pathway for XSS exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized actions within the application context. Attackers can craft responses containing malicious HTML or JavaScript that executes when the victim's browser processes the streamed response, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications process user-generated content or third-party data through GraphQL endpoints, as it provides a direct vector for injecting malicious code that can persist across user sessions. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
Organizations utilizing the affected urql packages should immediately implement the recommended mitigation by upgrading to version 1.1.1, which contains the necessary patches to properly escape HTML characters in response streams. The fix addresses the core sanitization issue by ensuring that all HTML-like content is properly escaped before being processed or rendered. Security teams should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as Content Security Policy headers and input validation layers to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their GraphQL implementations and review all streaming response handling to identify potential similar vulnerabilities that could compromise user security.