CVE-2024-53999 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.1) Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mobsf. A fix is available for mobsf — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Mobile Security Framework (MobSF) Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability in "Diff or Compare" Functionality
Exploitation Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code exists
- CISA’s SSVC triage found public proof-of-concept exploit code for this CVE, though no confirmed active exploitation.
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2024-53999.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
mobsfReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Summary
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.
-
On MobSF version 4.2.8, I clicked on "Unload & Analyze" button.
-
I uploaded zip file as a name
test.zip. -
I used an intercepting proxy tool while uploading a file and changed the value of the filename parameter from
test.zipto<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. -
I accessed /recent_scans/ and found a file named
<image src onerror=prompt(document.domain)>test.zipin the recent scans. Then, I clicked on the "Differ or Compare" button." -
I found that the application requires selecting a file to compare, and I selected the file
<image src onerror=prompt(document.domain)>test.zip -
I found that the JavaScript in the filename value was executed in the web browser.
Impact
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.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | mobsf | all versions | 4.2.9pip install --upgrade 'mobsf==4.2.9' |
Affected Products
mobile security frameworkopensecurityDetection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for mobsf, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update mobsf to 4.2.9 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2024-53999 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
Escape or sanitise the affected output on the server side rather than relying on client-side filtering, and add a Content-Security-Policy that blocks inline script execution so injected markup cannot run even if it reaches the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2024-53999 in your dependencies?
Find it across PyPI, including transitive dependencies.