CVE-2021-36739: Cross-Site Scripting in Apache Pluto
Summary
CVE-2021-36739: Cross-site Scripting in Apache Pluto. Affects org.apache.portals.pluto:pluto-portal versions < 3.1.1. Fixed in 3.1.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Pluto is a framework for building Java-based web applications as portlets. It provides a runtime environment for portlets to run in a Java Portal Server. The affected package, org.apache.portals.pluto:pluto-portal, is a Maven package that includes the Pluto portal framework. This vulnerability specifically affects version 3.1.0 of the MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype. The archetype includes fields for capturing the user's first name and last name, which are vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Apache Pluto 3.1.0 allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into the "first name" and "last name" fields of the MVCBean JSP portlet. When these fields are not properly sanitized, the injected scripts can be executed by the victim's browser, leading to potential unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities. This vulnerability has a moderate severity rating and is classified under CWE-79 (Cross-Site Scripting).
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.1.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
If upgrading to version 3.1.1 is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround is to manually sanitize the user input in the affected fields. This can be done by implementing input validation and filtering techniques to remove or escape any potentially malicious scripts. Here is an example of how to sanitize user input in Java:
String sanitizedFirstName = firstName.replaceAll("<", "<").replaceAll(">", ">"); String sanitizedLastName = lastName.replaceAll("<", "<").replaceAll(">", ">");
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Apache Pluto 3.1.0 MVCBean JSP portlet maven archetype is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks in the "first name" and "last name" fields. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to version 3.1.1 of the org.apache.portals.pluto:pluto-portal package. If immediate upgrade is not possible, manual input sanitization can be implemented as a temporary workaround. For further assistance, contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Apache Pluto is a framework for building Java-based web applications as portlets. It provides a runtime environment for portlets to run in a Java Portal Server.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can be used to steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions, or deface websites.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser. The impact can range from unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, defacement of web pages, or even the installation of malware on the victim's system.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in software using just the pom.xml file.
For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact info@devnack.com. They can provide guidance and assistance in fixing the vulnerability in your application.
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