Source: cna@vuldb.com
A vulnerability was detected in rymcu forest up to 0.0.5. This affects the function updateUserInfo of the file - src/main/java/com/rymcu/forest/web/api/user/UserInfoController.java of the component User Profile Handler. The manipulation results in cross site scripting. The attack can be executed remotely. The exploit is now public and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in rymcu forest versions up to 0.0.5, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into user profiles. This vulnerability, located in the updateUserInfo function, can be exploited remotely, potentially leading to account compromise and data theft. The vendor has failed to address this publicly known issue, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation.
Step 1: Payload Delivery: An attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code (e.g., <script>alert('XSS');</script>) designed to exploit the XSS vulnerability.
Step 2: Payload Injection: The attacker submits the crafted payload through a profile update request to the updateUserInfo function, typically by modifying a user profile field (e.g., username, bio, or other text-based fields).
Step 3: Data Storage: The vulnerable application stores the malicious payload in its database or other data storage mechanisms without proper sanitization or encoding.
Step 4: Profile Rendering: When another user views the attacker's profile, the application retrieves the stored profile data, including the malicious payload.
Step 5: Script Execution: The victim's browser renders the profile page and executes the injected JavaScript code, because the payload was not properly escaped. This allows the attacker to perform actions on behalf of the victim.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the updateUserInfo function in UserInfoController.java. Specifically, user-supplied data, likely within profile fields, is not properly sanitized before being displayed on the user's profile page. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code (XSS payload) into these fields. When other users view the compromised profile, their browsers execute the injected script, enabling attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or deface the application. The lack of proper escaping of user-provided input, such as HTML entities, is the root cause.
While no specific APTs are definitively linked, the nature of XSS makes it a common tool for various threat actors, including those focused on credential harvesting and malware distribution. This vulnerability could be leveraged by script kiddies or more sophisticated actors. CISA KEV status: Likely candidate for future inclusion due to public exploit and vendor inaction.
Network traffic analysis: Look for unusual HTTP requests containing JavaScript code within profile update requests (e.g., POST requests to /api/user/updateUserInfo).
Web server logs: Examine web server logs for suspicious user agent strings, especially those associated with known XSS payloads.
Content filtering: Monitor for the presence of common XSS attack patterns (e.g., <script>, onerror, javascript:) in user-supplied data.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) alerts: Implement IDS rules to detect known XSS payloads and attack patterns.
Forensic analysis: Examine the application's database for stored XSS payloads within user profile fields. Look for unusual characters or HTML tags.
Input Validation: Implement robust input validation to sanitize all user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This includes whitelisting allowed characters and rejecting or escaping potentially malicious characters.
Output Encoding: Implement proper output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) to escape user-supplied data before displaying it on the user's profile page. This prevents the browser from interpreting the data as executable code.
Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement a strict CSP to restrict the sources from which the browser can load resources, mitigating the impact of successful XSS attacks. This can prevent the execution of injected JavaScript code.
Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Vendor Patching: Although the vendor has not responded, if possible, apply any patches or updates that may address the vulnerability. If no patches are available, consider forking the project and applying the fixes yourself.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF to filter malicious traffic and block XSS attacks.