CVE-2025-28937 in Lava Ajax Search Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in lavacode Lava Ajax Search allows Stored XSS. This issue affects Lava Ajax Search: from n/a through 1.1.9.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the lavacode Lava Ajax Search plugin that enables stored XSS attacks. The vulnerability occurs during the web page generation process when input data is improperly neutralized before being rendered in web pages, creating a persistent vector for malicious script execution. The flaw affects all versions of the Lava Ajax Search plugin from the initial release through version 1.1.9, indicating a long-standing security weakness that has remained unaddressed. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently saved in the application's database and executed whenever affected pages are accessed by unsuspecting users, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user-generated content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's processing pipeline. When users submit search queries or other input data through the Lava Ajax Search interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that are then stored in the database and executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to neutralize input data that is subsequently used in web page generation. This weakness creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges or steal sensitive information.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable comprehensive attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Attackers can craft malicious search terms that, when stored and subsequently displayed in search results or related pages, execute scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The persistent nature of stored XSS makes it particularly effective for maintaining long-term access to compromised systems and can be exploited across multiple user sessions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531: Account Access Removal and T1566: Phishing, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access and manipulate user interactions within the affected application.
Organizations using the affected Lava Ajax Search plugin should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of the plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, though this may not be possible in all environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input sanitization routines, deploying content security policies that restrict script execution, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Regular security assessments should be performed to ensure that all user input is properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied throughout the application's data flow. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.