netbox-data-flows has stored XSS in ObjectAlias names rendered inside DataFlow tables
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
### Summary An authenticated user who can create or edit `ObjectAlias` objects can store arbitrary HTML/JavaScript in an alias name. That payload is later rendered unescaped in `DataFlow` table views, causing a stored XSS when another user views the affected page. ### Details The issue is caused by unsafe HTML generation in the plugin’s custom table column renderer. Relevant code on `main` (`bf96eac`, same commit as `origin/main` at the time of review): - `netbox_data_flows/models/objectaliases.py` - `ObjectAlias.name` is user-controlled (`CharField`) - `ObjectAlias.__str__()` returns `self.name` directly - `netbox_data_flows/tables/dataflows.py` - `DataFlowTable.sources` and `DataFlowTable.destinations` use `ObjectAliasListColumn` - `netbox_data_flows/tables/columns.py` - `ObjectAliasListColumn.render()` calls `object_list_to_string(value.all(), linkify=True)` - `netbox_data_flows/utils/helpers.py` - `object_list_to_string()` builds raw anchor tags with: ```python mark_safe(separator.join(f'<a href="{o.get_absolute_url()}">{o}</a>' for o in objects)) ``` The alias text (`{o}`) is inserted into HTML without escaping, then the whole string is marked safe. Because `ObjectAlias.__str__()` returns the user-supplied name, HTML/JS in the alias name is executed in the victim’s browser. This affects any page rendering `DataFlowTable`, including at least: - the main Data Flow list page - model tabs that reuse `DataFlowTable` ### PoC Environment: - NetBox with `netbox-data-flows` installed - No special plugin configuration required Steps: 1. Log in as a user with permission to create or edit `ObjectAlias` and `DataFlow`. 2. Create a new `ObjectAlias` with the following name: ```html <img src=x onerror=alert(document.domain)> ``` 3. Create or edit a `DataFlow` so this alias is present in either `sources` or `destinations`. 4. Log in as another user and open the Data Flow list page in the plugin UI. 5. The JavaScript executes when the table renders the alias list. A simple path to trigger is the Data Flow list page. Any other page that renders `DataFlowTable` should also be tested. ### Impact This is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability. Impacted users: - any authenticated user who can view a page rendering the affected `DataFlow` table - especially higher-privileged NetBox users, because an attacker with lower privileges may target them by planting a malicious alias name Possible impact: - session theft - execution of privileged actions in the victim’s session - exfiltration of data visible to the victim in NetBox
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | netbox-data-flows (PyPI) | before 1.5.1 | 1.5.1 | Patch available | GHSA-v7qw-hx66-4w9x |
- netbox-data-flows (PyPI) Vendor— Affected before 1.5.1 Fixed in 1.5.1 Patch available GHSA-v7qw-hx66-4w9x
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-v7qw-hx66-4w9x netbox-data-flows (PyPI) Fixed in 1.5.1 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-v7qw-hx66-4w9x
References
Sources
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