CVE-2024-6050 in SOWA OPAC
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation vulnerability in SOKRATES-software SOWA OPAC allows a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). An attacker might trick somebody into using a crafted URL, which will cause a script to be run in user's browser. This issue affects SOWA OPAC software in versions from 4.0 before 4.9.10, from 5.0 before 6.2.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The CVE-2024-6050 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the SOKRATES-software SOWA OPAC web application that falls under the category of reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within user browsers. The flaw specifically affects versions of the software within the 4.0 to 4.9.9 range and 5.0 to 6.2.11 range, indicating a significant portion of the software's release history remains susceptible to this particular attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the SOWA OPAC application fails to properly neutralize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When a user clicks on a maliciously crafted URL containing script code within query parameters or other input fields, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script is immediately reflected back to the user's browser through the web application's response, without being stored on the server. This characteristic makes the attack particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through email links, instant messaging, or any other means that might entice a user to click on a malicious URL.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the context of the victim's browser session. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify page content, or even perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user if the application handles sensitive operations. The vulnerability's scope is particularly concerning given that SOWA OPAC serves as a catalog system for library management, meaning that users accessing the system are likely to be authenticated users with potentially elevated privileges. This creates a scenario where attackers could leverage the XSS vulnerability to escalate their privileges or access restricted library resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for phishing with malicious links. Organizations using affected versions of SOWA OPAC should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict input sanitization for all user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, combined with proper output encoding to ensure that any potentially malicious content is rendered harmless. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to further limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of failing to properly sanitize user data in dynamic web content generation processes.