Horizon Alert
Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters
The hackage-server component is vulnerable due to improper handling of user-supplied metadata from .cabal files. This flaw allows for the injection of malicious code when this metadata is rendered into HTML. The potential impact includes the compromise of user sessions and the disruption of services.
- Vulnerable: Hackage-server component
- Weakness: Unsanitized HTML rendering
- Impact: Data compromise and service disruption
Attack Path
How an attacker could exploit the issue
This vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a system through user-controlled metadata in .cabal files. When these files are rendered into HTML, the un-sanitized data can execute scripts. This can lead to unauthorized actions or data exposure within the affected system.
- Publicly accessible web server exposure.
- Attacker provides malicious metadata.
- Malicious script execution results.
Live Threat
Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context
This vulnerability in hackage-server allows for stored cross-site scripting attacks by rendering user-controlled metadata without proper sanitization. Attackers can embed malicious scripts within `.cabal` files, which are then executed when other users view the rendered HTML. This could lead to the compromise of user sessions and sensitive data.
- Attackers with low skill can exploit.
- Requires unauthenticated access.
- High business risk and urgency.
Priority actions
Operational Fix
Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps
An organization can address a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in hackage-server by identifying systems that render .cabal file metadata without proper sanitization. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into HTML href attributes, potentially impacting users who view the rendered content. Organizations should focus on locating these exposed assets to understand the scope of the risk.
- Find systems rendering .cabal metadata.
- Reduce exposure or isolate affected systems.
- Apply vendor fixes, verify, and monitor.
