CVE-2024-8372 - Bypass Image Source Restrictions in AngularJS through Insufficient Sanitization of 'srcset' Attribute

The vulnerability CVE-2024-8372, discovered in AngularJS, refers to the improper sanitization of the value in the 'srcset' attribute. This security flaw allows attackers to exploit common image source restrictions easily, ultimately leading to Content Spoofing. To understand the risks involved and the significance of this vulnerability, let's dive deeper into its details.

Affected Versions

The affected AngularJS versions encompass the range of 1.3.-rc.4 and greater. However, it's crucial to note that the AngularJS project has reached its End-of-Life stage and will not receive updates to address any related security issues. For more information on AngularJS version support, you can visit this link.

Content Spoofing

Content Spoofing is a cyberattack in which an attacker subtly modifies or manipulates the application content, usually with the intent of deceiving users or gaining unauthorized access to their data. In this case, the attacker can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious content through the 'srcset' attribute. The crucial aspect to understand here is that this method not only bypasses conventional image source restrictions but also gives the attacker an opportunity to manipulate the application content as they deem fit. To learn more about Content Spoofing, visit the OWASP website.

A typical example of a vulnerable HTML code snippet in AngularJS may look like this

<img ng-src="{{imgUrl}}" srcset="{{imgSrcset}}" alt="Example Image">

In this example, the 'srcset' attribute is not properly sanitized, allowing the attacker to bypass the source restrictions.

The attacker can exploit this vulnerability in the following way

1. Locate a web application using the affected AngularJS versions with improper sanitization of 'srcset' attribute values.

`

`

3. Submit the payload to the vulnerable application, bypass the conventional source restrictions, and deceive the end-users.

Mitigation

Due to the End-of-Life status of AngularJS, official updates or patches to address this issue won't be released. However, developers can consider the following actions to mitigate the risk:

Migrate the application to a supported framework, such as Angular, React, or Vue.js.

2. Consider implementing custom input validation and sanitization to ensure proper handling and mitigating 'srcset' attribute-based attacks.

3. Regularly monitor the application for any signs of Content Spoofing and take appropriate measures to fix any identified vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, CVE-2024-8372 poses a serious threat to the security of applications built on AngularJS versions 1.3.-rc.4 and above, as it exposes them to Content Spoofing attacks. Developers are advised to take proactive measures to mitigate this risk, primarily by migrating to supported frameworks or implementing custom security controls.

Timeline

Published on: 09/09/2024 15:15:12 UTC
Last modified on: 09/17/2024 17:24:21 UTC