CVE-2019-25449: OrientDB Reflected XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25449 Overview

CVE-2019-25449 is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting OrientDB version 3.0.17. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts by submitting crafted JSON payloads to the document endpoint. Specifically, attackers can send POST requests to /document/demodb/-1:-1 with script tags embedded in the name parameter, enabling the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in users' browsers.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users.

Affected Products

• OrientDB 3.0.17
• OrientDB document endpoint (/document/demodb/-1:-1)
• OrientDB web interface components

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2019-25449 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25449

Vulnerability Analysis

This reflected XSS vulnerability (CWE-79) exists in OrientDB's document endpoint where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being reflected back to the browser. The vulnerability is network-accessible and requires user interaction to exploit, as the victim must be tricked into clicking a malicious link or submitting a crafted form. When exploited, the attack impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the user's session within the vulnerable application context.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation and output encoding in the document endpoint handler. When processing JSON payloads submitted via POST requests, OrientDB fails to properly sanitize the name parameter before reflecting it in the HTTP response. This allows script tags and other HTML content to be rendered in the victim's browser without proper escaping.

Attack Vector

The attack is executed over the network by sending crafted HTTP POST requests to the vulnerable endpoint at /document/demodb/-1:-1. An attacker constructs a malicious JSON payload containing JavaScript code within the name parameter. When the server processes this request, the unsanitized input is reflected back in the response, causing the injected script to execute in the context of the user's browser session.

The vulnerability can be exploited by embedding script tags such as <script> elements within the JSON payload's name field. Technical details and proof-of-concept information are available in the Exploit-DB #46517 advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25449

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP POST requests to /document/demodb/-1:-1 containing script tags or HTML entities
• Web server logs showing encoded JavaScript payloads in request parameters
• Browser console errors indicating blocked inline script execution (if CSP is enabled)

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for XSS attack signatures targeting OrientDB endpoints
• Implement log analysis rules to detect POST requests to document endpoints containing <script>, javascript:, or event handler attributes
• Review access logs for repeated requests to /document/ paths with unusual or encoded payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all OrientDB web interface endpoints
• Configure alerting for requests containing common XSS patterns such as <script>, onerror=, and onload=
• Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and monitor for CSP violation reports

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25449

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade OrientDB to a patched version that addresses the reflected XSS vulnerability
• Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with XSS detection rules to filter malicious requests
• Restrict access to the OrientDB web interface to trusted networks only
• Review and enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate script injection attacks

Patch Information

Consult the OrientDB Official Website for the latest security updates and patched versions. Review the Vulncheck Advisory on OrientDB for detailed remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF with XSS filtering capabilities in front of OrientDB
• Restrict network access to the OrientDB web interface using firewall rules
• Implement strict Content Security Policy headers to prevent inline script execution
• Disable or restrict access to the /document/ endpoint if not required for operations

# Example: Restrict access to OrientDB web interface using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 2480 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 2480 -j DROP