CVE-2022-50952: Banco Guayaquil iOS App XSS Vulnerability

CVE-2022-50952 Overview

CVE-2022-50952 is a persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Banco Guayaquil mobile iOS application version 8.0.0. The vulnerability exists in the TextBox Name Profile input field, allowing attackers to inject malicious script code through a POST request. Once injected, the malicious payload executes when application content is reviewed, requiring no further user interaction for exploitation.

This stored XSS vulnerability (CWE-79) represents a significant security concern for users of the Ecuadorian banking application, as it could enable attackers to steal session tokens, manipulate displayed content, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Critical Impact

Attackers can inject persistent malicious scripts into user profiles that execute automatically when viewed, potentially compromising sensitive banking session data and user credentials.

Affected Products

• Banco Guayaquil iOS Mobile Application version 8.0.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-01 - CVE-2022-50952 published to NVD
• 2026-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2022-50952

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as a persistent (stored) cross-site scripting flaw, which is particularly dangerous in a mobile banking context. Unlike reflected XSS attacks that require victims to click malicious links, stored XSS payloads are permanently saved on the target server and execute automatically when other users view the affected content.

The vulnerability occurs due to insufficient input validation and output encoding in the profile name text field. When users update their profile information, the application fails to properly sanitize input before storing it in the database and subsequently fails to encode it when rendering the content back to users.

The network-based attack vector means attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely through the application's API endpoints. The requirement for low-level privileges indicates that an attacker needs an authenticated account to inject the malicious payload, though victim interaction is required for the payload to execute during content review.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2022-50952 is improper input validation combined with insufficient output encoding in the profile management functionality. The application accepts and stores user-supplied input containing potentially malicious JavaScript code without sanitization. When this content is later rendered, it is not properly escaped, allowing the embedded scripts to execute in the context of other users' sessions.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network through the application's profile update functionality. An authenticated attacker crafts a malicious POST request containing JavaScript code in the profile name field. This payload is stored in the application's backend and executes when the profile content is subsequently viewed or reviewed within the application.

The exploitation flow involves:

1. Attacker authenticates to the Banco Guayaquil mobile application
2. Attacker submits a profile update with malicious JavaScript in the name field
3. The payload is stored without proper sanitization
4. When the profile is viewed (during review or by other functionality), the script executes
5. The malicious script can access session data, cookies, or perform unauthorized actions

For technical details on the specific exploitation methodology, refer to the Vulnerability Lab Report #2315.

Detection Methods for CVE-2022-50952

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual JavaScript code patterns in user profile name fields including <script> tags, event handlers, or encoded payloads
• POST requests to profile update endpoints containing HTML special characters or JavaScript syntax
• Application logs showing profile updates with abnormally long or encoded name values
• Reports of unexpected behavior when viewing user profiles within the application

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block XSS payloads in profile-related API requests
• Monitor backend logs for profile update requests containing suspicious characters such as <, >, ", ', (, ), and JavaScript keywords
• Deploy content security policy (CSP) headers to detect and report inline script execution attempts
• Conduct regular security scans of stored user data for potential XSS payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all profile update API endpoints to capture request bodies and parameters
• Configure alerting for profile fields containing HTML or script-like content patterns
• Review application access logs for unusual patterns around profile viewing functionality
• Implement anomaly detection for profile data that exceeds expected length or contains special characters

How to Mitigate CVE-2022-50952

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Banco Guayaquil iOS application to the latest available version from the Apple App Store
• Review existing user profile data for potentially malicious content and sanitize as necessary
• Implement server-side input validation to reject profile names containing script tags or event handlers
• Enable output encoding for all user-generated content displayed within the application

Patch Information

Users should check the Apple App Store listing for the latest version of the Banco Guayaquil application that addresses this vulnerability. For additional details, consult the VulnCheck Advisory for vendor response information.

Workarounds

• Avoid using the profile name update functionality until a patch is applied
• Clear application data and cache if you suspect your device may have been exposed to malicious profile content
• Monitor account activity closely for any unauthorized transactions or changes
• Consider implementing additional authentication factors for sensitive banking operations