CVE-2022-3844: Webmin 2.001 Vulnerability in xterm/index.cgi Allows Basic Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks

A concerning vulnerability (CVE-2022-3844) has recently been identified in Webmin 2.001, a widely-used web-based interface for managing Unix-based systems. This vulnerability affects an unidentified function in the xterm/index.cgi file within Webmin and can be exploited to execute basic cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. As this issue has the potential to allow attackers to execute malicious scripts on victims' browsers, it is essential for users to upgrade to Webmin version 2.003. The vulnerability has been assigned the identifier VDB-212862.

Exploit Details

The problematic vulnerability arises in an unknown function of the xterm/index.cgi file, allowing attackers to perform basic cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the manipulation of this function. Since this attack can be launched remotely, users who have not updated to Webmin 2.003 are at considerable risk of having their systems compromised.

A patch for this vulnerability (named d3d33af3cc3fd3a889c84e287a038b7a457d811) has been released, and it is advised to upgrade the affected components to Webmin 2.003 as soon as possible. In doing so, users ensure the security of their systems and avoid the risk of falling victim to these attacks.

Code Snippet

The following is an example of a generic cross-site scripting attack that can be used to exploit the vulnerability in the xterm/index.cgi file:

<script>alert('XSS')</script>

Original References

For more information about this vulnerability (CVE-2022-3844), please refer to the following resources:

1. CVE-2022-3844 in the National Vulnerability Database
2. VDB-212862
3. Webmin Changelog for version 2.003

Conclusion

Protecting your systems against potential threats is paramount to ensuring their overall security. This recently discovered vulnerability (CVE-2022-3844) in Webmin 2.001 highlights the importance of regularly updating your software components to their latest versions. In this case, upgrading to Webmin 2.003 and patching the xterm/index.cgi file with d3d33af3cc3fd3a889c84e287a038b7a457d811 is the most effective way to mitigate the risks associated with cross-site scripting attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 11/02/2022 20:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 03/01/2023 18:16:00 UTC