CVE-2022-23395: jQuery.cookie XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2022-23395 Overview

jQuery Cookie 1.4.1 is affected by a prototype pollution vulnerability that can lead to DOM cross-site scripting (XSS). This JavaScript library, widely used for handling browser cookies, contains a flaw that allows attackers to manipulate the Object prototype, potentially injecting malicious properties that can be exploited to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a user's browser session.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this prototype pollution vulnerability to achieve DOM-based XSS, potentially stealing session tokens, performing actions on behalf of users, or redirecting victims to malicious sites.

Affected Products

• jQuery.cookie version 1.4.1
• jquery.cookie_project jquery.cookie (Node.js package)
• Applications and websites utilizing the vulnerable jQuery.cookie library

Discovery Timeline

• 2022-03-02 - CVE CVE-2022-23395 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-23395

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability (CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes) affects jQuery Cookie version 1.4.1. Prototype pollution occurs when an attacker can inject properties into JavaScript Object prototypes, which are then inherited by all objects in the application. In the context of jQuery.cookie, this vulnerability enables an attacker to pollute the prototype chain through specially crafted cookie values or names.

The exploitation requires user interaction, as the attack is network-based and typically delivered through malicious links or compromised web pages. When successfully exploited, the prototype pollution chain can lead to DOM-based cross-site scripting, allowing arbitrary JavaScript execution within the victim's browser context. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, session hijacking, or manipulation of page content.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper handling of user-controlled input when processing cookie data. The jQuery.cookie library fails to adequately sanitize or validate input before using it in operations that can modify object prototypes. When cookie names or values containing special properties like __proto__, constructor, or prototype are processed, they can inadvertently modify the base Object prototype, affecting all objects in the JavaScript runtime environment.

Attack Vector

The attack is delivered over the network and requires user interaction to trigger. An attacker can craft a malicious URL or inject cookie data that, when processed by the vulnerable jQuery.cookie library, pollutes the Object prototype. This pollution can then be leveraged to inject malicious scripts into the DOM.

The vulnerability exploits the way JavaScript handles property assignment on objects. When the library processes a cookie with a specially crafted name containing prototype-pollution payloads, the malicious properties are added to the Object prototype. These properties can then be used to inject script content when the application subsequently renders dynamic content based on object properties.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-23395

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of jQuery.cookie version 1.4.1 in application dependencies or CDN includes
• Unusual cookie names containing __proto__, constructor, or prototype strings in HTTP requests
• JavaScript errors related to unexpected object properties in browser console logs
• Signs of XSS exploitation such as unauthorized script execution or DOM manipulation

Detection Strategies

• Scan application dependencies using software composition analysis (SCA) tools to identify vulnerable jQuery.cookie versions
• Monitor web application logs for suspicious cookie values containing prototype pollution payloads
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to detect and block unauthorized script execution
• Use browser-based XSS auditors and security extensions to identify potential exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed JavaScript error logging to capture prototype pollution attempts
• Monitor network traffic for HTTP requests containing suspicious cookie patterns
• Implement real-time alerting for CSP violations that may indicate XSS attempts
• Regularly audit frontend dependencies for known vulnerabilities using automated security scanning

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-23395

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all applications using jQuery.cookie version 1.4.1 through dependency audits
• Consider removing or replacing the vulnerable library with a maintained alternative such as js-cookie
• Implement input validation and sanitization for all cookie-related operations
• Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to mitigate potential XSS impact

Patch Information

No official patch has been released for this vulnerability. The jQuery.cookie project appears to be unmaintained. Organizations should migrate to alternative cookie handling libraries that are actively maintained and do not contain this vulnerability. The recommended alternative is the js-cookie library, which provides similar functionality without the prototype pollution vulnerability.

For additional security information, refer to the NetApp Security Advisory NTAP-20220325-0008 and the Snyk Vulnerability Test for jQuery.Cookie.

Workarounds

• Replace jQuery.cookie with a secure alternative library such as js-cookie
• Implement object freezing using Object.freeze(Object.prototype) to prevent prototype modification
• Use Object.create(null) for objects that process untrusted cookie data to prevent prototype chain access
• Deploy strict Content Security Policy headers to limit the impact of any XSS exploitation

# Configuration example - NPM dependency replacement
# Remove vulnerable jQuery.cookie package
npm uninstall jquery.cookie

# Install secure alternative
npm install js-cookie

# Verify no vulnerable packages remain
npm audit