CVE-2022-31191 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article discusses the CVE-2022-31191 vulnerability found in DSpace, impacting DSpace open source software's JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete tools. It provides insights into the vulnerability, its impact, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2022-31191

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2022-31191 vulnerability affecting DSpace's JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete tools.

What is CVE-2022-31191?

CVE-2022-31191 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in DSpace's JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete tools. These tools fail to properly escape user input, making them susceptible to XSS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-31191

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.1, indicating a high severity level. Attackers can exploit this issue to perform XSS attacks within the JSPUI interface, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-31191

This section provides technical details regarding the CVE-2022-31191 vulnerability in DSpace.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete tools of DSpace, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a legitimate user.

Affected Systems and Versions

DSpace versions >= 6.0 and < 6.4, as well as versions >= 4.0 and < 5.11, are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from the failure to properly sanitize user input in the JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete functionalities, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the CVE-2022-31191 vulnerability in DSpace.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade DSpace to a secure version that includes patches for the XSS vulnerability in the JSPUI spellcheck and autocomplete tools.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, input validation mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent XSS vulnerabilities in web applications like DSpace.

Patching and Updates

Keep DSpace installations up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.