CVE-2014-9772: Validator Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-79mx-88w7-8f7q
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CVSS 6.1
CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2014-9772 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.1) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting Validator libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves xss filter bypass via encoded url in validator. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.0.0.

CVE-2014-9772 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2014-9772
GHSA Identifier GHSA-79mx-88w7-8f7q
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.1
CWE Classification CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Affected Product Validator
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.1

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2014-9772

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Validator dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

validator fixed: 2.0.0 
npm install validator@2.0.0
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls validator

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2014-9772, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls validator

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Validator in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.0.0), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls validator command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. In Validator, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Versions of `validator` prior to 2.0.0 contained an xss filter method that is affected by several filter bypasses. This may result in a cross-site scripting vulnerability. ## Proof of Concept The xss() function removes the word "javascript" when contained inside an attribute. However, it does not properly handle cases where characters have been hex-encoded. As a result, it is possible to build an input that bypasses the filter but which the browser will accept as valid JavaScript. For example: ```<a href="jav&#x61;script:...">abc</a>``` will render as: ```<a href="javascript:...">abc</a>``` ## Recommendation The package author has decided to remove the xss filter functionality in the latest version of this module. If this feature is not currently being used, you are not affected by the vulnerability. If it is being used, updating to the latest version of the module will break your application. In order for affected users to mitigate this vulnerability, it is necessary to use an [alternative package](https://www.npmjs.com/search?q=xss%20filter&page=1&ranking=optimal) that provides similar functionality.

CVE-2014-9772 Affected Validator Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.0.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
validator
npm/validator
npm
< 2.0.0
2.0.0

References

NVD — CVE-2014-9772 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-9772
Validator Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/chriso/validator.js/issues/181
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-79mx-88w7-8f7q
Validator Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/chriso/validator.js
www.npmjs.com/advisories/43 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/43
Validator Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/20/11
Validator Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97102

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2014-9772?
CVE-2014-9772 is a security vulnerability in Validator involving XSS Filter Bypass via Encoded URL in validator under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
Which Validator versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.0 across affected packages: validator.
What version fixes CVE-2014-9772?
Upgrading to 2.0.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is validator affected?
Yes, validator is affected in releases prior to 2.0.0. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.0 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2014-9772?
CVE-2014-9772 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.1 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2014-9772?
CVE-2014-9772 is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') (The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2014-9772?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls validator'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-79mx-88w7-8f7q",
  "modified" : "2021-09-02T21:06:02Z",
  "published" : "2018-11-06T23:12:49Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2014-9772" ],
  "summary" : "XSS Filter Bypass via Encoded URL in validator",
  "details" : "Versions of `validator` prior to 2.0.0 contained an xss filter method that is affected by several filter bypasses. This may result in a cross-site scripting vulnerability.\n\n\n## Proof of Concept\nThe xss() function removes the word \"javascript\" when contained inside an attribute.\n\nHowever, it does not properly handle cases where characters have been hex-encoded. \n\nAs a result, it is possible to build an input that bypasses the filter but which the browser will accept as valid JavaScript.\n\nFor example:\n```<a href=\"jav&#x61;script:...\">abc</a>```\nwill render as:\n```<a href=\"javascript:...\">abc</a>```\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nThe package author has decided to remove the xss filter functionality in the latest version of this module. If this feature is not currently being used, you are not affected by the vulnerability. If it is being used, updating to the latest version of the module will break your application.\n\nIn order for affected users to mitigate this vulnerability, it is necessary to use an [alternative package](https://www.npmjs.com/search?q=xss%20filter&page=1&ranking=optimal) that provides similar functionality.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
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      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "validator"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
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        "fixed" : "2.0.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-9772"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/chriso/validator.js/issues/181"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
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  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/chriso/validator.js"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/43"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/04/20/11"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97102"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:22:15Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}