In software security, Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are rampant and commonly exploited by attackers. It is crucial to identify and remediate such vulnerabilities in the applications that we use. In this blog post, we will discuss the recently disclosed vulnerability, CVE-2022-38167, which affects the Nintex Workflow plugin for SharePoint. We'll delve into the details of this vulnerability, analyze the code snippet, and provide insights into the possible exploitation strategies.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2022-38167 is a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Nintex Workflow plugin 5.2.2.30 for SharePoint. It allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user data or application functionality.

Original References

The original disclosure of the vulnerability can be found on the CVE website: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-38167

The vulnerability details and remediation guide are available on the Nintex Community Portal: https://community.nintex.com/t5/Security-Updates/CVE-2022-38167-Security-update-for-Nintex-Workflow-for-SharePoint/ta-p/38167

An example of the vulnerable code in Nintex Workflow plugin 5.2.2.30 for SharePoint is shown below

<script>
    var pluginUrl = '<%= PluginUrl %>';
    var workflowName = '<%= WorkflowName %>';
</script>

In the above snippet, the PluginUrl and WorkflowName variables are not properly sanitized, resulting in an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts. Here's an example of how an attacker can exploit the vulnerability:

<script>
    var pluginUrl = 'http://legitimatepluginurl/';;
    var workflowName = '<%= "<script>alert('XSS')</script>" %>';
</script>

Identify a SharePoint site that has the Nintex Workflow plugin 5.2.2.30 installed.

2. Craft a malicious payload that injects an XSS attack into the vulnerable variables, as shown in the code snippet above.
3. Send a phishing email or create a malicious web page containing the crafted payload, targeting users of the affected SharePoint site.
4. Once the targeted user clicks on the link or visits the malicious webpage, the attacker's payload is executed on the victim's browser in the context of the vulnerable SharePoint site.

Update the Nintex Workflow plugin to the latest version, which includes a fix for CVE-2022-38167.

2. Ensure that your organization has a robust security awareness training program that educates users about the risks associated with phishing emails and unsafe browsing habits.
3. Implement Content Security Policies (CSP) to reduce the impact of XSS vulnerabilities in your applications.

Conclusion

This blog post has discussed the details of the CVE-2022-38167 vulnerability affecting the Nintex Workflow plugin 5.2.2.30 for SharePoint. By examining the code snippet and understanding the exploit details, we can gain a better insight into the risks associated with this vulnerability. It is essential for organizations to take appropriate measures to secure their applications and protect users from potential attacks exploiting such vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 11/14/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/17/2022 20:25:00 UTC