CVE-2019-15600: Cross-Site Scripting in http_server

Background

The http_server package is an npm package used for creating HTTP servers in Node.js applications. It provides functionality for handling HTTP requests and serving static files. The package is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to a lack of sanitization of filenames. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser by uploading files with malicious names.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in the http_server package arises from the failure to properly sanitize filenames. When a user uploads a file with a name containing malicious JavaScript code, the code gets executed in the victim's browser when they access the file. This can lead to various consequences, including unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and defacement of web pages. The vulnerability has a severity rating of HIGH and is classified under CWE-22.

Workaround

As there is no fix available, a possible workaround is to implement additional server-side validation and sanitization of filenames before processing or serving them. This can be done by checking for potentially malicious characters or patterns in the filenames and rejecting or sanitizing them accordingly. Here's an example in Node.js:

const sanitizeFilename = (filename) => {
  // Implement your sanitization logic here
};

const handleFileUpload = (req, res) => {
  const uploadedFilename = req.body.filename;
  const sanitizedFilename = sanitizeFilename(uploadedFilename);
  // Process or serve the file with the sanitized filename
};

Conclusion

The http_server package is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks due to a lack of sanitization of filenames. Currently, no fix is available, and it is recommended to consider using an alternative package that addresses this issue. Implementing additional server-side validation and sanitization of filenames can help mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.

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