CVE-2019-25448: OrientDB Stored XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25448 Overview

OrientDB 3.0.17 contains a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts by creating users with script payloads in the name parameter. Attackers can send POST requests to the document endpoint with JavaScript code in the name field to execute arbitrary scripts when users view the application.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can persistently inject malicious JavaScript that executes in the browsers of other users viewing the OrientDB web interface, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the database management system.

Affected Products

• OrientDB version 3.0.17
• OrientDB web management interface
• Applications using OrientDB's user management functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2019-25448 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25448

Vulnerability Analysis

This stored cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in the user creation functionality of OrientDB's web interface. When an authenticated user creates a new database user, the application fails to properly sanitize the name parameter before storing it in the database and subsequently rendering it in the web interface.

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation). The network-based attack vector requires an authenticated attacker with low privileges, though user interaction is required for successful exploitation when a victim views the malicious user entry.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding in OrientDB's user management module. When processing user creation requests via the /document endpoint, the application accepts arbitrary input in the name field without proper sanitization. This unsanitized data is then stored in the database and rendered directly in HTML contexts without appropriate encoding, allowing JavaScript code to execute in the browser context of users viewing the affected pages.

Attack Vector

The attack exploits the user creation functionality accessible through OrientDB's REST API. An authenticated attacker with permissions to create users can craft a malicious POST request to the document endpoint, embedding JavaScript payloads within the username field. When administrators or other users access the user management interface or any page displaying the malicious username, the injected script executes in their browser session.

The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous, as the malicious payload persists in the database and affects all users who view the compromised data. Potential attack scenarios include stealing session cookies, performing actions on behalf of the victim, redirecting users to phishing sites, or escalating privileges within the application.

For technical exploitation details, refer to the Exploit-DB #46517 proof-of-concept.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25448

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual user entries containing JavaScript code or HTML tags in the name field
• Database records with <script> tags, event handlers (e.g., onerror, onload), or encoded JavaScript sequences
• Audit logs showing user creation requests with suspicious payload patterns in the name parameter
• Browser console errors or unexpected script execution when viewing user management pages

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect XSS payloads in POST requests to the OrientDB document endpoint
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on HTTP requests containing script tags or JavaScript event handlers targeting OrientDB endpoints
• Perform regular database audits scanning for user records containing HTML or JavaScript in name fields
• Enable and monitor OrientDB access logs for anomalous user creation activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Deploy application-level logging to capture all user creation and modification events with full request body details
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate the impact of XSS attacks and generate violation reports
• Monitor for unusual session activity that could indicate session hijacking following XSS exploitation
• Establish baseline behavior for user management operations and alert on deviations

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25448

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade OrientDB to a patched version that addresses the stored XSS vulnerability in user creation
• Audit existing user records in the database for any entries containing suspicious JavaScript or HTML content
• Implement strict input validation on all user-supplied data before storage
• Apply output encoding when rendering user data in HTML contexts
• Consider temporarily restricting user creation privileges to trusted administrators only

Patch Information

Review the OrientDB Official Site for the latest security updates and patched versions. Additionally, consult the VulnCheck OrientDB Advisory for specific remediation guidance.

Organizations should upgrade to a version of OrientDB that includes fixes for this vulnerability. Verify the patch addresses the input sanitization issue in the user creation endpoint.

Workarounds

• Implement a reverse proxy or WAF with XSS filtering rules to sanitize incoming requests before they reach OrientDB
• Restrict access to the OrientDB web interface to trusted networks only using network segmentation or VPN requirements
• Apply Content Security Policy headers to prevent inline script execution
• Regularly scan the database for and remove any existing malicious user entries
• Limit user creation privileges to a minimal set of trusted administrators until the system is patched