Description
Appsmith is a platform to build admin panels, internal tools, and dashboards. Prior to 1.96, a Critical Stored XSS vulnerability exists in the Table Widget (TableWidgetV2). The root cause is a lack of HTML sanitization in the React component rendering pipeline, allowing malicious attributes to be interpolated into the DOM. By leveraging the "Invite Users" feature, an attacker with a regular user account (user@gmail.com) can force a System Administrator to execute a high-privileged API call (/api/v1/admin/env), resulting in a Full Administrative Account Takeover. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.96.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2026-10412
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability EUVD-2026-10412 affects the Appsmith platform, specifically in versions prior to 1.96. It is classified as a Critical Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Table Widget (TableWidgetV2). The root cause is the lack of HTML sanitization in the React component rendering pipeline, which allows malicious attributes to be interpolated into the DOM.
Severity Evaluation:
- Base Score: 9.1
- Base Score Version: CVSS 3.1
- Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
The CVSS score of 9.1 indicates a critical vulnerability. The vector string highlights the following characteristics:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N)
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L)
- Privileges Required (PR): Low (L)
- User Interaction (UI): Required (R)
- Scope (S): Changed (C)
- Confidentiality (C): High (H)
- Integrity (I): High (H)
- Availability (A): High (H)
This vulnerability can lead to a Full Administrative Account Takeover, making it highly severe.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Stored XSS: An attacker can inject malicious scripts into the Table Widget, which are then stored and executed when the widget is rendered.
- Privilege Escalation: By leveraging the "Invite Users" feature, an attacker can force a System Administrator to execute a high-privileged API call (/api/v1/admin/env), leading to a Full Administrative Account Takeover.
Exploitation Methods:
- Script Injection: The attacker injects malicious HTML or JavaScript into the Table Widget.
- Social Engineering: The attacker tricks a System Administrator into performing actions that trigger the malicious script, leading to the execution of high-privileged API calls.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Systems:
- Appsmith platform versions prior to 1.96.
Software Versions:
- All versions of Appsmith before 1.96 are vulnerable.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Upgrade: Upgrade to Appsmith version 1.96 or later, which includes the fix for this vulnerability.
- Sanitization: Ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized to prevent XSS attacks.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and monitor user activities, especially those with administrative privileges.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and code reviews to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
- User Education: Educate users about the risks of social engineering and the importance of verifying the authenticity of requests.
- Intrusion Detection: Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for suspicious activities and potential exploitation attempts.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using the Appsmith platform, particularly those in the European Union. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it could lead to:
- Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- Service Disruptions: Compromised administrative accounts could lead to service disruptions.
- Compliance Issues: Violations of data protection regulations such as GDPR, leading to legal and financial repercussions.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Root Cause: Lack of HTML sanitization in the React component rendering pipeline.
- Exploitation: Malicious attributes interpolated into the DOM via the Table Widget.
- Impact: Full Administrative Account Takeover through the execution of high-privileged API calls.
Mitigation Steps:
- Code Review: Ensure all input fields and components are properly sanitized.
- Security Patches: Apply the latest security patches and updates from the vendor.
- Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring for suspicious activities and anomalies.
References:
Conclusion: The vulnerability EUVD-2026-10412 is a critical threat to the Appsmith platform. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to the latest version and implementing robust security measures to mitigate the risk. Continuous monitoring and regular security audits are essential to maintain a secure environment.