CVE-2025-66035 Vulnerability In Common-18.2.13.tgz

by Alex Johnson 51 views

This article discusses the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability found in the common-18.2.13.tgz library, which is part of the Angular framework. This vulnerability, categorized as low severity with a CVSS score of 0.0, involves a potential Cross-Site Request Forgery (XSRF) token leakage due to the use of protocol-relative URLs in Angular HTTP clients. We will delve into the details of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and the recommended steps to mitigate it. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for developers to ensure the security and integrity of their Angular applications.

Understanding the Vulnerability

The core of the issue lies in how Angular's HttpClient handles protocol-relative URLs (URLs starting with //). The CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability stems from the fact that Angular's built-in XSRF protection mechanism incorrectly treats these URLs as same-origin requests. Consequently, the XSRF token is automatically added to the X-XSRF-TOKEN header, even when the request is actually cross-origin. This behavior can lead to the unauthorized disclosure of the XSRF token to an attacker-controlled domain, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of the user without their consent.

The library in question, common-18.2.13.tgz, is an integral part of the Angular framework, providing commonly needed directives and services. Its vulnerability can affect any Angular application that uses this version and makes HTTP requests with protocol-relative URLs. Therefore, it is essential to address this issue promptly to prevent potential security breaches. The CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by developers using the Angular framework.

The vulnerability's low severity score of 0.0 might seem misleading at first glance. However, it is crucial to understand that this score reflects the base CVSS score, which does not account for environmental factors or potential exploitability in specific contexts. In real-world scenarios, the impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the application's architecture and the sensitivity of the data being transmitted. For instance, if an application handles highly sensitive data or performs critical operations, the potential impact of XSRF token leakage can be significant, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized actions. Hence, developers should not solely rely on the CVSS score but also consider the specific risks associated with their applications and implement appropriate mitigation measures. Addressing the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability is a proactive step towards enhancing the overall security posture of the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2025-66035

The CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability is specifically a Credential Leak by App Logic. The vulnerability arises because Angular's HttpClient, designed to protect against Cross-Site Request Forgery (XSRF) attacks, has a flaw in its logic for determining the origin of a request. The intended mechanism is to check if a request URL starts with a protocol (http:// or https://) to determine if it's a cross-origin request. However, protocol-relative URLs (//) bypass this check, leading to incorrect treatment as same-origin requests. This misclassification results in the XSRF token being inadvertently added to the X-XSRF-TOKEN header for cross-origin requests, effectively leaking the token to the external domain.

The dependency hierarchy clearly identifies common-18.2.13.tgz as the vulnerable library. This direct vulnerability means that applications directly using this version of the Angular common library are at risk. The vulnerability was found in the base branch, main, indicating that it affects the primary codebase of the project. Understanding the technical specifics of the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies.

The CVSS v3 score details provide further insight into the nature of the vulnerability. With a base score of 0.0, the exploitability metrics show that the attack vector is over the network, the attack complexity is low, no privileges are required, and no user interaction is necessary. The scope is changed, but the impact metrics indicate no impact on confidentiality, integrity, or availability. This seemingly contradictory scoring highlights the nuanced nature of the vulnerability. While the base score is low due to the lack of immediate impact on the system's core functions, the potential for credential leakage to an attacker-controlled domain still poses a significant risk. An attacker could leverage the leaked XSRF token to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user, which could have severe consequences depending on the application's functionality. Therefore, it's essential to consider the broader implications of the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability and not solely rely on the base CVSS score for risk assessment.

Remediation and Mitigation

The good news is that this CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability has been addressed in later versions of Angular. The suggested fix is to upgrade to Angular versions 19.2.16, 20.3.14, or 21.0.1, where the vulnerability has been patched. Upgrading Angular is the most effective way to resolve this issue and ensure that your application benefits from the latest security fixes and improvements.

The origin of the fix can be traced back to a specific commit in the Angular GitHub repository, indicating a clear resolution path. The fix resolution details provide the exact versions where the patch is included, making it easier for developers to target the appropriate upgrade. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, a workaround is available: avoid using protocol-relative URLs in HttpClient requests. This workaround involves ensuring that all backend communication URLs are either relative paths (starting with a single /) or fully qualified, trusted absolute URLs. This approach prevents the HttpClient from misclassifying the request and inadvertently adding the XSRF token.

Automatic remediation is also being attempted for this issue, which further simplifies the process of applying the fix. Automatic remediation typically involves tools that automatically identify and apply patches or upgrades to address vulnerabilities. This feature can significantly reduce the manual effort required to remediate the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability, especially in large projects with numerous dependencies.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Application

To effectively protect your Angular application from the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability and similar threats, follow these practical steps:

  1. Upgrade Angular: The most direct and recommended solution is to upgrade to Angular versions 19.2.16, 20.3.14, or 21.0.1. These versions include the necessary patches to address the vulnerability. Before upgrading, ensure that your application is compatible with the new version by reviewing the Angular update guide and release notes.
  2. Avoid Protocol-Relative URLs: As a workaround, avoid using protocol-relative URLs (//) in your Angular HttpClient requests. Instead, use either relative paths (starting with /) or fully qualified, trusted absolute URLs (e.g., https://api.example.com/data). This prevents the HttpClient from misclassifying requests and leaking the XSRF token.
  3. Review and Update Dependencies: Regularly review and update your project dependencies to ensure that you are using the latest versions with security patches. Use tools like npm audit or yarn audit to identify vulnerabilities in your dependencies and follow the recommended remediation steps.
  4. Implement XSRF Protection: Ensure that you have implemented proper XSRF protection mechanisms in your application. Angular provides built-in support for XSRF protection, which involves setting an XSRF token in a cookie and validating it on the server-side for each request.
  5. Security Audits and Testing: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in your application. This proactive approach helps you discover and address security issues before they can be exploited.
  6. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the latest security vulnerabilities and best practices for Angular development. Subscribe to security advisories, follow reputable security blogs, and participate in security communities to stay informed.

By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of your Angular application being affected by the CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability and other security threats.

Conclusion

The CVE-2025-66035 vulnerability in common-18.2.13.tgz highlights the importance of staying vigilant about security issues in your dependencies. While the vulnerability has a low severity score, the potential for XSRF token leakage should not be underestimated. Upgrading to the patched versions of Angular or implementing the suggested workaround of avoiding protocol-relative URLs are effective ways to mitigate this risk.

By understanding the technical details of the vulnerability and following the recommended remediation steps, you can ensure the security and integrity of your Angular applications. Regularly reviewing and updating dependencies, conducting security audits, and staying informed about the latest security threats are essential practices for maintaining a secure application. Remember, security is an ongoing process, and proactive measures are key to preventing potential breaches.

For more information on web application security best practices, visit the OWASP Foundation website. This resource offers comprehensive guidance and tools to help developers build secure applications.