CVE-2023-36823 : Security Advisory and Response

Sanitize vulnerable to Cross-site Scripting via insufficient neutralization of

style

element content.

Understanding CVE-2023-36823

Sanitize, an allowlist-based HTML and CSS sanitizer, is affected by a vulnerability that could lead to Cross-site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2023-36823?

The CVE-2023-36823 vulnerability in Sanitize allows an attacker to inject arbitrary HTML and CSS when utilizing a specific configuration, potentially resulting in Cross-site Scripting attacks when rendered in a browser.

The Impact of CVE-2023-36823

This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized JavaScript execution, potentially compromising user data and leading to malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-36823

Detailed technical information about the CVE-2023-36823 vulnerability in Sanitize.

Vulnerability Description

An attacker can exploit this issue starting from Sanitize version 3.0.0 up to version 6.0.2, causing arbitrary HTML and CSS to bypass the sanitizer, resulting in potential Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: rgrove
Product: sanitize
Affected Versions: >= 3.0.0, < 6.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

By using a crafted input, an attacker can evade Sanitize's security controls, injecting malicious HTML and CSS content that can execute unauthorized scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Measures to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-36823 vulnerability in Sanitize.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to Sanitize version 6.0.2 or apply configurations that disallow

style

elements and CSS at-rules to prevent exploitation. Manually escaping certain character sequences can also help mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Sanitize to the latest version and review configurations to ensure strict input validation, reducing the risk of Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely patching of software vulnerabilities and stay informed about security advisories to apply fixes promptly.