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Cross-site Scripting occurrences in Protect
RisingStack protect version 1.2.0 and earlier contains a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in isXss() function in lib/rules/xss.js that can result in dangerous XSS strings being validated as safe. This attack appears to be exploitable via A number of XSS strings(26) detailed in the GitHub issue #16. (2018-04-18, CVE-2018-1000160)
Why Cross-site Scripting can be dangerous
Cross site scripting is an attack where a web page executes code that is injected by an adversary. It usually appears, when users input is presented. This attack can be used to impersonate a user, take over control of the session, or even steal API keys.
The attack can be executed e.g. when you application injects the request parameter directly into the HTML code of the page returned to the user:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=Transaction+Complete
what results in:
<span>Confirmation: Transaction Complete</span>
In that case the message can be modified to become a valid Javascript code, e.g.:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=<script>dangerous javascript code here</script>
and it will be executed locally by the user's browser with full access to the user's personal application/browser data:
<span>Confirmation: <script>dangerous javascript code here</script></span>