CVE-2023-49293 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides insights into CVE-2023-49293, a vulnerability that involves Cross-site Scripting in

server.transformIndexHtml

via URL payload in Vite.

Understanding CVE-2023-49293

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-49293 and its impact on systems.

What is CVE-2023-49293?

CVE-2023-49293 is a vulnerability in Vite, a website frontend framework. The issue arises when Vite's HTML transformation is manually invoked via

server.transformIndexHtml

, allowing the injection of arbitrary HTML into the transformed output using a malicious URL query string.

The Impact of CVE-2023-49293

The vulnerability affects apps using

appType: 'custom'

and the default Vite HTML middleware. It requires a user to click on a malicious URL while running the dev server, but restricted files are not exposed to the attacker. The issue has been addressed in vite@5.0.5, vite@4.5.1, and vite@4.4.12.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-49293

This section covers the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-49293 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

When

server.transformIndexHtml

is used, unmodified request URLs combined with inline module scripts can lead to arbitrary HTML injection. This vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the transformed output by providing a malicious URL query string.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Vite versions >=4.4.0, < 4.4.12, = 4.5.0, and >=5.0.0, < 5.0.5.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-49293 requires user interaction in the form of clicking on a malicious URL while the dev server is running. It specifically targets apps using

appType: 'custom'

and the default Vite HTML middleware.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, mitigation strategies and preventive measures for CVE-2023-49293 are outlined.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate CVE-2023-49293, users should update to vite@5.0.5, vite@4.5.1, or vite@4.4.12. Avoid clicking on unknown URLs while the dev server is active.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, regularly update Vite to the latest versions, and conduct security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories for Vite and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure the security of your applications.