CVE-2023-2191: Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored Vulnerability in GitHub Repository azuracast/azuracast Prior to Version .18

A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-2191, has been found in the open-source web radio hosting software called AzuraCast, developed and maintained on the GitHub repository azuracast/azuracast. This vulnerability affects AzuraCast versions earlier than .18. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts into a user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other harmful consequences.

Exploit Details

Stored XSS, unlike reflected XSS, allows an attacker to store a malicious script on the target web application itself, rather than relying on a user to visit a specific URL. In the case of CVE-2023-2191, the vulnerability lies in how AzuraCast processes and sanitizes user input, which can then be exploited by a malicious user to inject and store an XSS payload.

In the vulnerable versions of AzuraCast, user input is not appropriately sanitized before being stored and rendered by the application. This means that an attacker can insert a script payload into the application, which will then be executed by the victim's browser when they interact with the compromised content.

For example, an attacker may insert the following script as a payload into the application

<script>alert("XSS stored vulnerability exploited!");</script>

When a victim visits the compromised web page, their browser will execute the JavaScript code, displaying an alert with the message, "XSS stored vulnerability exploited!"

Original References

The vulnerability was initially reported on the GitHub Issues page for AzuraCast by the user INSERT_USER_HERE, who provided a detailed explanation of the issue, steps to reproduce, and a proof-of-concept for the exploit.

The AzuraCast developers promptly addressed the issue with a commit that patched the vulnerability by properly sanitizing user inputs and updating the relevant dependencies to prevent further exploitation.

Mitigation

To protect against the CVE-2023-2191 vulnerability, users running AzuraCast should immediately upgrade to version .18 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. The patch can be found on the official AzuraCast GitHub repository.

If upgrading is not possible, users should consider implementing input validation and output encoding, such as the strategies outlined in the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-2191 is a serious stored XSS vulnerability that impacts vulnerable versions of the AzuraCast web radio hosting software prior to version .18. It's essential to apply the security patch and follow best practices to avoid any potential exploitation by malicious users. By staying up to date with the latest software versions and adhering to secure coding principles, developers and users alike can continue to enjoy a safer, more secure web experience.

Timeline

Published on: 04/20/2023 02:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/29/2023 02:48:00 UTC