An issue was discovered in REDCap 14.9.6. A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability allows authenticated users to inject malicious scripts into the Survey field name of Survey. When a user receives the survey, if they click on the field name, it triggers the XSS payload. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.1, categorizing it as medium severity. The potential for exploitation highlights the need for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized script execution that could lead to data theft or session hijacking. Given the nature of XSS vulnerabilities, attackers may leverage this flaw to manipulate user interactions, leading to further exploitation of the system.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately as this vulnerability is classified as medium severity, and the potential impact on sensitive data and user trust should not be underestimated. The exploitation status is currently unknown, but defenders should act swiftly to mitigate any risks.
The vulnerability was published on January 10, 2025, and has been analyzed, indicating that the issue is recognized but requires further attention to remediate effectively.
Vulnerability Details
The cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-79) allows attackers to inject scripts into a trusted web application, executed by users who interact with it. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required, although user interaction is necessary for successful exploitation.
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, indicating a low attack complexity and minimal privilege requirements. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both assessed as low, while there is no availability impact.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation for the Survey field name, allowing harmful scripts to be stored and executed. The attack vector allows unauthorized users to input malicious scripts, which, when triggered by an unsuspecting user, compromise their session or steal sensitive information.
The attack complexity is rated low, as it does not require sophisticated techniques. However, user interaction is essential; users must click on the field name to execute the injected script. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are low, suggesting that while attackers can manipulate data, significant system outages are not expected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk posed by this vulnerability is significant. Organizations using REDCap 14.9.6 may face unauthorized access to sensitive user data through script execution. The blast radius includes any users who interact with the affected survey fields, potentially leading to widespread data compromise.
Given the low EPSS score of 0.0018, the probability of exploitation is minimal at this time. However, security teams should remain vigilant as attackers often search for such vulnerabilities to exploit, especially in environments handling sensitive data.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The only affected version is REDCap 14.9.6. Organizations using this version should prioritize updating to a patched version as soon as it is available.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should address this vulnerability by applying the latest security patches from Vanderbilt. If a patch is not available, consider implementing input validation and sanitization controls to mitigate the risk of XSS. Additionally, it is advisable to conduct a thorough security review of survey functionalities.
For continuous security assessment, organizations can integrate continuous penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this XSS vulnerability, organizations should monitor for unusual user interactions with survey fields. Log any script execution attempts and review user activity for anomalies. Network signatures specific to XSS attacks may also be beneficial in identifying malicious attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to be exploited in larger campaigns targeting survey and data collection tools. Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their defenses against XSS vulnerabilities across their applications.
Recognizing patterns in how such vulnerabilities are exploited can aid in developing proactive measures. For further insights into security practices, organizations may consider reviewing security testing best practices and implementing comprehensive application security assessments.
The ongoing threat landscape emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation to emerging vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and assessments can significantly reduce the risk of future incidents.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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