CVE-2024-50580 in YouTrack
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
In JetBrains YouTrack before 2024.3.47707 multiple XSS were possible due to insecure markdown parsing and custom rendering rule
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50580 affects JetBrains YouTrack versions prior to 2024.3.47707 and represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability stemming from insecure markdown parsing and custom rendering rules. This issue allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's markdown rendering engine, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically targets the markdown processing functionality that handles user-generated content within the YouTrack issue tracking system.
The technical flaw resides in how the application processes markdown content with custom rendering rules that fail to properly sanitize user input before rendering. When users submit content containing markdown syntax with embedded malicious payloads, the insecure parsing mechanism does not adequately filter or escape special characters and script tags. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious markdown content that, when rendered by the application, executes arbitrary javascript code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate markdown parsing functionality that users expect to work normally, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of victims, and access confidential project data. Since YouTrack is commonly used for managing sensitive business information, including bug reports, project timelines, and team communications, successful exploitation could result in significant data breaches and operational disruptions. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with markdown-enabled features, making it a widespread concern across organizations using the platform.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrading to JetBrains YouTrack version 2024.3.47707 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the insecure markdown parsing. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security scanning of user-generated content, and monitoring for suspicious markdown patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their infrastructure.