CVE-2024-50520 in Ancient World Linked Data Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Peter J. Herrel Ancient World Linked Data allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Ancient World Linked Data: from n/a through 0.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw that specifically manifests as a DOM-based XSS attack within the Ancient World Linked Data application. The issue stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes where user-provided data is not properly neutralized before being incorporated into dynamically generated content. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of input parameters that are subsequently processed through DOM manipulation methods, creating an attack vector where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of the victim's browser. This particular implementation allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes when users view affected web pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or other malicious activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a DOM-based XSS variant where the vulnerability occurs in the client-side code rather than server-side processing. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to properly escape or validate input parameters that are then used in DOM operations such as innerHTML, document.write, or similar methods that can execute arbitrary JavaScript code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various means including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even social engineering attacks that trick users into visiting malicious links. The affected version range indicates that this issue was present from the initial release through version 0.2.1, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling architecture that persisted across multiple releases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attacks that compromise user sessions and potentially allow attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. When users access web pages containing malicious payloads, their browsers execute the injected scripts in the context of the vulnerable application, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of data, or redirection to malicious sites. The DOM-based nature of this vulnerability means that the attack occurs entirely within the browser without requiring server-side processing, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional server-side security measures. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by users, automatically execute scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on comprehensive input validation and output encoding practices that prevent malicious content from being executed in the browser context. The most effective approaches include implementing strict content security policies that restrict script execution, properly encoding all user-provided data before insertion into DOM elements, and utilizing modern secure coding practices that avoid direct DOM manipulation with untrusted input. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their applications. The fix requires updating the application to version 0.2.2 or later where the input sanitization has been properly implemented, following established security guidelines from organizations like the Open Web Application Security Project. Additionally, implementing proper input validation frameworks and regular security training for developers can help prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credential access and T1566 for social engineering attacks that often exploit such vulnerabilities.