Cross Site Scripting Vulnerability in Backbone Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2016-10537: backbone is a module that adds in structure to a JavaScript heavy application through key-value pairs and custom events connecting to your RESTful API through JSON There exists a potential Cross Site Scripting vulnerabil... Affects backbone versions < 0.5.3-1. Fixed in 0.5.3-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Backbone is a JavaScript library that provides structure to web applications by utilizing models with key-value binding and custom events. It facilitates interaction with RESTful APIs using JSON, making it a popular choice for developers building dynamic web applications. However, certain versions of Backbone are vulnerable to a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) issue, which can lead to security risks if not addressed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the Model#Escape function in Backbone versions 0.3.3 and earlier. This function improperly handles user input due to a regex flaw, allowing malicious users to inject scripts. If an attacker can manipulate the input, they may execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the user's browser, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or other malicious activities.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.5.3-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade backboneTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can sanitize user inputs before passing them to the Model#Escape function. This can be done by using libraries such as DOMPurify to clean the input and prevent XSS attacks.
Conclusion
The Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in the Backbone package poses significant risks to web applications using affected versions. It is crucial to update to version 0.5.3-1 or later to mitigate these risks. Additionally, utilizing input sanitization can provide a temporary safeguard against potential attacks.
See every vulnerability recorded for backbone →
FAQ
Backbone is a JavaScript library that helps developers create structured web applications by providing models, views, collections, and routers.
The Model#Escape function is intended to escape special characters in user input to prevent XSS attacks, but it has a flaw in its regex implementation.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Simply upload your manifest file like package-lock.json to check for vulnerabilities.
If left unaddressed, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in users' browsers, leading to data breaches and compromised user accounts.
Yes, you can sanitize user inputs using libraries like DOMPurify to prevent XSS attacks until you can update to a patched version.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for backbone.
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