When it comes to web application security, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are among some of the most commonly discussed and exploited issues. In this post, we will delve deeper into a recently discovered XSS vulnerability in Apache JSPWiki (CVE-2022-24948). We will be examining the vulnerability, how it can be exploited, as well as some solutions and mitigation steps that users can take to safeguard themselves.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-24948, affects Apache JSPWiki versions up to 2.11.1 and stems from an issue in the user preferences screen. A malicious actor could craft a user preferences submission that, when viewed by a victim user, triggers the XSS vulnerability and subsequently allows the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser. The successful execution of this code could then potentially expose sensitive information about the victim to the attacker.
Consider the following code snippet, which demonstrates how the vulnerability could be exploited
<form action="http://target-wiki-url/EditPreferences.jsp"; method="post">
<input type="hidden" name="username" value="<script>alert('XSS');</script>">
<input type="hidden" name="email" value="attacker@example.com">
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
By crafting a malicious form like the one above and convincing a target user to submit it, an attacker could successfully execute the JavaScript code provided in the username field. When the victim later views their user preferences screen in JSPWiki, the browser would interpret the injected script and execute it, resulting in an alert box with the message "XSS" appearing. Although this example is benign, more harmful payloads could be utilized, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive information or impersonation of the victim.
Original References
The CVE-2022-24948 vulnerability was initially disclosed by the Apache JSPWiki team in their announcement:
- CVE-2022-24948: XSS vulnerability in JSPWiki user preferences screen
You can also find additional details in the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) at
Mitigation
In order to protect against this vulnerability, it is highly recommended that all Apache JSPWiki users upgrade their installations to JSPWiki version 2.11.2 or later. The latest version can be downloaded from the official Apache JSPWiki website:
- Download Apache JSPWiki
By keeping your JSPWiki installation up to date, you can ensure that you are protected against this and any further security vulnerabilities that may arise. Always make it a priority to regularly update your software to the latest versions to minimize potential security risks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CVE-2022-24948 vulnerability highlights the importance of staying up to date with software patches and regularly checking for updates from trusted sources. It also serves as a reminder of the ever-present threat of XSS vulnerabilities within web applications. By understanding the specifics of this exploit and the necessary mitigation steps, users can better protect themselves and the sensitive information that they manage within their JSPWiki installations.
Timeline
Published on: 02/25/2022 09:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 03/04/2022 01:49:00 UTC