CVE-2024-52283 in hackweek
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2024
Missing sanitation of inputs allowed arbitrary users to conduct a stored XSS attack that triggers for users that view a certain project
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into project data which then executes when legitimate users view the affected project. The weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's data processing pipeline, allowing malicious payloads to persist in the system and propagate to other users. The vulnerability specifically affects project viewing functionality where user-generated content is rendered without proper security filtering, creating an environment where attacker-controlled scripts can execute in the context of victim browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the injection of malicious scripts into web applications. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where user-supplied data flows directly into output rendering without appropriate encoding or validation. This creates an attack surface where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that exploit the trust relationship between the web application and its users. The vulnerability is classified as stored XSS because the malicious script is permanently stored within the application's database or storage system rather than being reflected in a single request.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to user security and application integrity. When victims view the compromised project, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the viewing functionality rather than requiring administrative access or authentication. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected project, including casual users who may not be security-aware. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially enable broader attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user inputs using established security libraries and frameworks that properly encode special characters before rendering content. Implementing Content Security Policy headers provides an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution and limiting the attack surface. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically target known XSS attack patterns can further reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with attack techniques documented in the attack phase of the kill chain.