CVE-2023-33255 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in Papaya Viewer 1.0.1449 where user-supplied input in the form of DICOM or NIFTI images can be loaded into the Papaya web application without any sanitization. This allows injection of arbitrary JavaScript code into image metadata, which is executed when that metadata is displayed in the Papaya web application.

Understanding CVE-2023-33255

This section will cover the details regarding the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-33255?

CVE-2023-33255 is a vulnerability found in Papaya Viewer 1.0.1449, allowing the injection of arbitrary JavaScript code into image metadata, which can be executed within the Papaya web application.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33255

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential execution of arbitrary code within the web application environment, leading to unauthorized access or manipulation of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33255

This section will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of input sanitization, enabling the injection of malicious JavaScript code into image metadata within the Papaya web application.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Papaya Viewer 1.0.1449 are affected by this vulnerability, allowing potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading specially crafted DICOM or NIFTI images containing malicious JavaScript code, which gets executed when the image metadata is displayed in the Papaya web application.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss the immediate steps to take as well as long-term security practices to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-33255.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk, users should refrain from uploading untrusted DICOM or NIFTI images to the Papaya Viewer web application. It is crucial to validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent code injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a robust input validation mechanism, regularly update the Papaya Viewer to patched versions, and conduct security assessments to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of patches released by the vendor to address the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of the Papaya Viewer application.