Server Side Template Injection (Blind)

Remediation

To mitigate the risk of Server Side Template Injection (Blind) vulnerabilities, the following steps can be taken:

1. Input validation: Validate and sanitize all user input before inserting it into templates. This can be done by using a whitelist approach, where only known safe values are allowed, or by using a blacklist approach, where known unsafe values are blocked.

2. Context-aware escaping: Use context-aware escaping to ensure that user input is properly escaped based on its intended use in the template. This can help prevent the execution of malicious code.

3. Template engine configuration: Configure the template engine to restrict or disable certain features that can be abused for code injection. For example, disabling the execution of arbitrary code or limiting the available template tags and filters.

4. Regular updates: Keep the template engine and its dependencies up to date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps to ensure that any known vulnerabilities are patched and reduces the risk of exploitation.

About

Server Side Template Injection (Blind) is a vulnerability that occurs when user input is inserted into a template without proper validation or sanitization. Instead of being used as an argument in rendering, the input is evaluated by the template engine. Depending on the template engine being used, this can lead to remote code execution.

Template engines are commonly used in web applications to generate dynamic content based on predefined templates. They allow developers to separate the presentation logic from the application logic. However, if user input is not properly validated and sanitized before being inserted into templates, it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the server.

Risks

The risks associated with Server Side Template Injection (Blind) vulnerabilities include:

1. Remote code execution: An attacker can inject malicious code into the template, which is then executed by the template engine on the server. This can lead to the execution of arbitrary commands, data exfiltration, or even complete compromise of the server.

2. Data leakage: If the template engine allows access to sensitive server-side data or configuration, an attacker can use the vulnerability to extract this information. This can include database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive information.

3. Server compromise: By exploiting a Server Side Template Injection (Blind) vulnerability, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to the server and potentially escalate their privileges. This can result in further compromise of the server or the entire application infrastructure.

It is important to address and remediate Server Side Template Injection (Blind) vulnerabilities to prevent these risks and ensure the security of the application and its underlying infrastructure.