GHSA-g7f6-rxc4-qhph: Pip/mesop vulnerability
Summary
The /csp endpoint accepts unauthenticated JSON reports and logs user-controlled values directly to stdout using print() without escaping control characters.
A remote attacker can include ANSI/VT100 escape sequences in fields such as blocked-uri or document-uri. When the logs are viewed in an ANSI-capable terminal, these sequences can manipulate the displayed output (e.g., clear the screen, hide text, or inject misleading messages), affecting the integrity of operator-facing logs.
Details
The CSP reporting endpoint accepts arbitrary JSON and prints several request fields directly:
mesop/server/staticfileserving.py python @app.route(prefixbaseurl("/csp"), methods=["POST"]) def cspreport(): report = request.getjson(force=True)
documenturi = report["csp-report"]["document-uri"] blockeduri = report["csp-report"]["blocked-uri"] violateddirective = report["csp-report"]["violated-directive"]
print(f"... Blocked URL: {blockeduri} ...")
Since these values are written to stdout without sanitization, ANSI escape sequences supplied by a remote client are preserved and interpreted by ANSI-compatible terminals.
PoC
Send the following request:
http POST /csp Content-Type: application/json
{ "csp-report": { "document-uri": "https://victim.example", "blocked-uri": "\u001b[2J\u001b[H\u001b[32m SECURITY OK - No CSP violations found \u001b[0m\n\u001b[8mhttps://evil.example", "violated-directive": "script-src-elem" } }
The request is accepted (HTTP 204), and the injected escape sequences are written to stdout unchanged.
When the captured output is rendered in a VT100-compatible terminal (verified using pyte), the original CSP warning is visually replaced with attacker-controlled content.
Expected output
text Content Security Policy Error
Directive: script-src-elem Blocked URL: ... App path: /app
Rendered output
text SECURITY OK - No CSP violations found https://evil.example App path: /app
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can submit a crafted request to the /csp endpoint containing ANSI/VT100 escape sequences. Because these values are written directly to stdout without sanitization, an attacker can:
1. Inject forged log messages that appear to originate from the application. 2. Manipulate the terminal display by clearing the screen, moving the cursor, or overwriting previously displayed log output. 3. Hide or disguise security-relevant log entries using terminal formatting sequences such as colors, hidden text, or cursor positioning. 4. Mislead administrators during monitoring or incident response by displaying attacker-controlled messages (e.g., fake "SECURITY OK" notifications). 5. Reduce the integrity and trustworthiness of operator-facing logs, making troubleshooting and security investigations less reliable.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
pip/mesopto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 1.3.4
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exposed to this issue?
Mesop deployments that expose the /__csp__ endpoint and whose stdout logs are viewed in an ANSI-capable terminal are exposed to log-display manipulation. The attacker can be remote because the endpoint accepts unauthenticated reports.
What does an attacker need to exploit it?
An attacker needs only to send a JSON POST to the CSP reporting endpoint containing ANSI/VT100 escape sequences in fields such as blocked-uri or document-uri. No authentication is required.
What is the practical impact?
The injected control sequences can alter how logs appear in a terminal, including clearing the screen, hiding text, or displaying misleading messages. This affects the integrity of operator-facing log output rather than the underlying logged data described here.
How can I tell whether my deployment is affected?
Check whether the application uses the shown CSP-report handler that prints document-uri, blocked-uri, or violated-directive directly to stdout without escaping control characters. Also confirm whether the /__csp__ endpoint is reachable by untrusted clients and logs are reviewed in ANSI-capable terminals.