CVE-2024-5083 in Nexus Repository 2 OSS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2024
A stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability has been discovered in Sonatype Nexus Repository 2
This issue affects Nexus Repository 2 OSS/Pro versions up to and including 2.15.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5083 represents a critical security flaw in Sonatype Nexus Repository 2 OSS and Pro editions through version 2.15.1. This vulnerability resides within the repository management system that serves as a central hub for storing and managing software artifacts in development environments. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist within the system's data storage, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code can execute whenever affected pages are accessed by legitimate users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the repository's web interface, allowing unauthorized script injection into stored data fields.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows CWE-079 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web pages. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious input that gets stored within the repository's database and subsequently rendered to other users without proper sanitization. The attack vector involves an authenticated user with sufficient privileges to upload or modify repository metadata, where the malicious script payload can be embedded in artifact names, descriptions, or other user-editable fields. When other users navigate to pages displaying this stored content, the injected scripts execute in their browsers within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive repository data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive repository information and user credentials. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized repository operations. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once the malicious payload is injected, it continues to affect users until the repository administrator removes the compromised data or patches the system. This vulnerability particularly threatens development environments where Nexus Repository serves as a critical component for artifact management and where multiple developers access the system with varying privilege levels. The attack can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where the repository may contain sensitive proprietary code, build artifacts, and configuration data that could be exposed through successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5083 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Nexus Repository 2 installations to version 2.15.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before storage and rendering. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, particularly by restricting administrative privileges and implementing the principle of least privilege. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual repository modifications and potential injection attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other repository management systems and web applications. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or entering untrusted data into repository interfaces, as social engineering remains a common attack vector for exploiting such vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against script injection attacks.