Stored XSS in DataEase Dashboard Components

Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in DataEase, an open source data visualization and analysis tool, in versions prior to 2.10.24. The issue arises because dashboard text components render stored content using Vue's v-html directive without performing server-side HTML sanitization. This allows an authenticated user with permission to edit dashboard component data to inject malicious HTML containing executable event handlers. When another user or a visitor accessing the dashboard via a shared link views the dashboard, these event handlers can execute, potentially leading to unintended actions.

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Impact Analysis

The vulnerability can lead to the execution of malicious code in the context of users viewing the affected dashboard. Since an authenticated user can inject HTML with executable event handlers, other users or visitors may unknowingly trigger these handlers, which could result in unauthorized actions, data manipulation, or exposure of sensitive information. This can compromise the integrity and security of the dashboard data and potentially the broader system.

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, upgrade DataEase to version 2.10.24 or later, where the issue is fixed.

Additionally, restrict dashboard component editing permissions to trusted authenticated users only to reduce the risk of malicious HTML injection.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows an authenticated user to inject malicious HTML with executable event handlers into dashboard components, which then execute in the browsers of other users or shared-link visitors. Such cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks can lead to unauthorized access to user data, session hijacking, or data manipulation.

Because the vulnerability enables execution of malicious scripts within the context of the DataEase application, it poses risks to the confidentiality and integrity of user data. This can impact compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, which require safeguarding personal and sensitive information against unauthorized access and breaches.

Failure to properly sanitize user input and prevent XSS attacks could result in data breaches or unauthorized data exposure, potentially leading to non-compliance with these standards and associated legal or regulatory consequences.

The issue is fixed in version 2.10.24 by introducing server-side HTML sanitization to neutralize malicious scripts before rendering, which helps mitigate these compliance risks.

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Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) issue in DataEase dashboard text components where malicious HTML with executable event handlers can be injected by an authenticated user with editing permissions.

To detect this vulnerability on your system, you should check if your DataEase installation is running a version prior to 2.10.24, as those versions are vulnerable.

You can also inspect dashboard text components for suspicious HTML content containing event handlers such as onerror, onload, or similar JavaScript event attributes embedded in images, SVGs, or other HTML elements.

Suggested commands to help detect potentially malicious content include:

• Using grep or similar tools to search dashboard data storage files or database entries for suspicious event handler attributes, for example: grep -i -E 'onerror|onload|onclick|onmouseover' <dashboard_data_file_or_export>
• If dashboard data is stored in a database, run SQL queries to find text components containing suspicious HTML event handlers, e.g.: SELECT * FROM dashboard_components WHERE component_data LIKE '%onerror=%' OR component_data LIKE '%onload=%';
• Monitor network traffic for unusual or unexpected HTML content in dashboard responses, especially if dashboards are shared via public links.

Ultimately, the recommended mitigation is to upgrade DataEase to version 2.10.24 or later, which includes server-side sanitization to prevent this vulnerability.

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