CVE-2024-25147 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2024
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HtmlUtil.escapeJsLink in Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.1, and older unsupported versions, and Liferay DXP 7.3 before service pack 3, 7.2 before fix pack 15, and older unsupported versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted javascript: style links.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the HtmlUtil.escapeJsLink functionality of Liferay Portal and Liferay DXP systems, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected applications. The vulnerability affects versions ranging from Liferay Portal 7.2.0 through 7.4.1 and their corresponding unsupported releases, while also impacting Liferay DXP 7.3 before service pack 3 and Liferay Portal 7.2 before fix pack 15. The core issue lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of javascript: style links, which allows attackers to bypass the intended escaping mechanisms designed to prevent script execution. This flaw specifically targets the HtmlUtil.escapeJsLink method that is responsible for properly encoding JavaScript links to prevent XSS attacks, but fails to adequately handle certain crafted input patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious javascript: style links that contain embedded scripts or HTML content. These crafted links bypass the existing escaping logic and are subsequently rendered in web pages, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the very functionality designed to prevent XSS attacks, turning the security mechanism against the application itself. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute unauthorized actions within the application's context. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS flaw under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise user sessions and potentially gain administrative access to the Liferay portal systems. When users interact with pages containing malicious links, their browsers execute the injected scripts, creating persistent security threats that can affect all users of the affected system. The vulnerability affects not only the end-user experience but also the overall security posture of organizations relying on Liferay platforms for their web applications. This flaw particularly impacts enterprise environments where Liferay Portal serves as a critical component for content management, collaboration, and customer portals, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects multiple versions across both Liferay Portal and DXP products, creating widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-25147 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by Liferay for their specific versions, implementing additional input validation layers, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious javascript: links. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing, and T1203 for exploitation of web applications, making it a significant threat in the context of modern attack frameworks. System administrators should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and conduct thorough security audits of all user-generated content handling within the Liferay environment. Additionally, regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the potential for security mechanisms to be subverted when not properly implemented, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all escaping and sanitization functions within web applications.