CVE-2024-28823 in AWS aws-js-s3-explorer
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
Amazon AWS aws-js-s3-explorer (aka AWS JavaScript S3 Explorer) 1.0.0 allows XSS via a crafted S3 bucket name to index.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28823 affects the Amazon AWS aws-js-s3-explorer application version 1.0.0, specifically targeting the index.html file through improper input validation mechanisms. This represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of S3 bucket names when rendered within the web interface, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser session. The flaw manifests when users interact with S3 bucket names that contain specially crafted malicious payloads, which are then reflected back to the browser without proper escaping or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The attack vector specifically exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data during the rendering process of S3 bucket names within the index.html interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious S3 bucket name containing script tags or other malicious code elements, these payloads are directly embedded into the HTML output without appropriate HTML entity encoding or other sanitization measures. This allows the injected scripts to execute with the privileges of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the AWS ecosystem. An attacker could leverage this XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content that could compromise the entire AWS S3 exploration interface. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the aws-js-s3-explorer application and encounters a maliciously crafted S3 bucket name, potentially leading to unauthorized access to AWS resources or data exfiltration. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple manipulation of S3 bucket naming conventions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted bucket names from external sources or compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28823 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the aws-js-s3-explorer application. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive HTML escaping for all user-supplied data before rendering within the index.html interface, ensuring that special characters are properly encoded to prevent script execution. Security measures should include the adoption of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources and implement proper input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious characters in bucket names. Additionally, the application should employ proper error handling and logging mechanisms to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and dependency reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability.
The vulnerability demonstrates a clear pattern of insecure data handling practices that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection, specifically targeting web application interfaces. This flaw represents a common security oversight in JavaScript-based applications where user input is not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web pages, creating persistent XSS vulnerabilities that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The impact of such vulnerabilities extends beyond immediate exploitation to potentially compromise the broader AWS security posture, as successful XSS attacks can lead to credential theft, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to sensitive cloud resources. Organizations relying on AWS JavaScript S3 Explorer should prioritize immediate patching and validation of their implementations to ensure proper security controls are in place against this and similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.