CVE-2024-53999

The application allows users to upload files with scripts in the filename parameter. As a result, a malicious user can upload a script file to the system. When users in the application use the "Diff or Compare" functionality, they are affected by a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

Details

I found a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the "Diff or Compare" functionality. This issue occurs because the upload functionality allows users to upload files with special characters such as <, >, /, and " in the filename. This vulnerability can be mitigated by restricting file uploads to filenames containing only whitelisted characters, such as A-Z, 0-9, and specific special characters permitted by business requirements, like - or _ .

PoC

Complete instructions, including specific configuration details, to reproduce the vulnerability.

1. On MobSF version 4.2.8, I clicked on "Unload & Analyze" button.
   

2. I uploaded zip file as a name test.zip.
   

3. I used an intercepting proxy tool while uploading a file and changed the value of the filename parameter from test.zip to <image src onerror=prompt(document.domain)>test.zip. This means I uploaded a file and set its name to a script value. As a result, the server allowed the file to be uploaded successfully.
   

4. I accessed /recent_scans/ and found a file named <image src onerror=prompt(document.domain)>test.zip in the recent scans. Then, I clicked on the "Differ or Compare" button."
   

5. I found that the application requires selecting a file to compare, and I selected the file <image src onerror=prompt(document.domain)>test.zip
   

6. I found that the JavaScript in the filename value was executed in the web browser.
   

Allowing a malicious user to upload a script in the filename parameter can be used to steal information from other users or administrators when they perform the compare functionality. The script will be stored in the system permanently in this vulnerability.

Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session. Typical impact: session or credential theft, and actions taken as the user.

CVE-2024-53999 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, high privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (4.2.9); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1. What is CVE-2024-53999? CVE-2024-53999 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mobsf (pip), affecting versions < 4.2.9. It is fixed in 4.2.9. Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session.
2. How severe is CVE-2024-53999? CVE-2024-53999 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of mobsf are affected by CVE-2024-53999? mobsf (pip) versions < 4.2.9 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2024-53999? Yes. CVE-2024-53999 is fixed in 4.2.9. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2024-53999 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-53999 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2024-53999 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2024-53999? Upgrade mobsf to 4.2.9 or later.