CVE-2024-50582 in YouTrack
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
In JetBrains YouTrack before 2024.3.47707 stored XSS was possible due to improper HTML sanitization in markdown elements
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50582 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within JetBrains YouTrack software versions prior to 2024.3.47707. This security weakness stems from inadequate HTML sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious content when processing markdown elements. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's storage system, which then executes when other users view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the markdown processing pipeline where user-supplied content containing HTML tags or script elements is not adequately sanitized before being stored in the database. When the system renders markdown content for display, the unsanitized malicious code executes in the context of other users' browsers, enabling attackers to perform actions on behalf of victims. This flaw specifically affects the markdown rendering functionality where HTML elements are processed and displayed without proper validation or sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the application's user base. An attacker could inject malicious scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform administrative actions within the YouTrack environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code remains active until manually removed from the system, potentially affecting all users who encounter the compromised content. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to persistent XSS attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-50582 require immediate application of the vendor-provided patch to JetBrains YouTrack version 2024.3.47707 or later. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including strict content security policy enforcement, regular security scanning of user-generated content, and monitoring for suspicious markdown content patterns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though the primary solution remains upgrading to the patched version. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of existing user content to identify any previously compromised data and implement automated sanitization processes for all markdown inputs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper HTML sanitization in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing through social engineering attacks that can leverage such persistent XSS vulnerabilities to establish long-term access to target systems.