CVE-2021-29489 is a high-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting Highcharts versions 8 and earlier. This vulnerability allows content from untrusted sources to execute code in the end user's browser, posing a significant risk to organizations utilizing this JavaScript charting library. Given the potential for exploitation, organizations must prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 7.6, indicating a high level of severity. This score reflects the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with the integrity impact rated as high. As such, organizations should take this threat seriously and address it in their vulnerability management processes.
Currently, there are no known exploits available for this vulnerability, but the low exploitability score suggests that it could be targeted in the wild. The urgency for defenders cannot be overstated, as unpatched systems may be vulnerable to attacks leveraging this flaw.
Organizations should assess their use of Highcharts and implement the necessary updates or workarounds, such as using DOMPurify to filter out malicious markup if an upgrade is not feasible. This proactive approach will help mitigate risks associated with CVE-2021-29489.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for XSS attacks due to the lack of systematic filtering of chart options in Highcharts versions 8 and earlier. The official CVE description indicates that this issue could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browser of users relying on the affected library.
The CVSS score of 7.6 reflects a high severity level, with an attack vector of NETWORK and low complexity required for exploitation. The integrity impact is rated high, indicating that an attacker could potentially modify content or execute malicious scripts.
The vulnerability was published on May 5, 2021, and affects multiple components, including Highcharts, Cloud Backup, OnCommand Insight, OnCommand Workflow Automation, and SnapCenter. Organizations using these products should ensure they have updated to version 9 or later to mitigate the risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-29489 lies in the inadequate filtering of user-generated content within the chart options structure. This flaw exposes the application to potential XSS attacks, where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the user's browser.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely without needing physical access to the target system. The attack complexity is low, requiring minimal technical skill to execute. The privileges required are also low, as attackers do not need to authenticate to exploit the vulnerability.
No user interaction is required, which increases the risk of exploitation. The confidentiality impact is low, meaning that sensitive data is not directly compromised, but the integrity impact is high, indicating that an attacker could alter data or inject harmful scripts. The availability impact is rated low, suggesting that the vulnerability does not directly disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2021-29489 is significant. Organizations utilizing Highcharts in their web applications may inadvertently expose their users to XSS attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized actions, data theft, or manipulation of sensitive information.
Given the high integrity impact, an attacker could alter the content rendered to users, leading to severe reputational damage for affected organizations. Furthermore, the vulnerability's network exploitability and low attack complexity increase its threat level, making it a priority for security teams.
The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score of 7.6 indicates that organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in significant security breaches, operational disruptions, and loss of customer trust.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Highcharts versions 8 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability. The vulnerability is patched in version 9. Organizations using Highcharts should ensure they upgrade to this version to avoid potential exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating to Highcharts version 9 or later. For implementers unable to upgrade, a viable workaround is to apply DOMPurify recursively to the options structure, effectively filtering out malicious markup. Configuration hardening and regular monitoring for suspicious activities are also recommended to mitigate risks.
Additionally, organizations can enhance their security posture by implementing continuous security testing, which can help identify similar weaknesses in their applications. For more information on effective security testing approaches, refer to our continuous penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
To effectively detect potential exploitation attempts related to CVE-2021-29489, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of XSS attacks, such as unexpected script execution or unauthorized content modifications. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions should also be investigated, alongside ensuring proper alerting mechanisms are in place for any detected anomalies.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-29489 lies in its illustration of the potential risks associated with inadequate input validation in widely-used libraries. This vulnerability highlights the necessity for robust security practices in software development, particularly for components that handle user-generated content.
Security teams should take this incident as a learning opportunity to reinforce their security measures and ensure that libraries are kept up-to-date. Additionally, organizations can benefit from establishing a vulnerability management program that incorporates regular reviews and assessments of third-party components.
Moreover, to effectively combat evolving threats, organizations should continuously invest in training and awareness programs for their development teams, ensuring they are well-versed in secure coding practices. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the attack surface and enhance overall application security.
For further insights on security practices, consider exploring our penetration testing methodology and related resources.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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