DuckDuckGo API Content-Security-Policy Bypass Scanner

The DuckDuckGo API is widely used by developers and organizations for integrating privacy-focused search capabilities into their applications. It allows users to perform searches without compromising their privacy, making it a preferred choice in privacy-centric environments. Companies and developers rely on the DuckDuckGo API to provide search functionalities within applications, ensuring that user data remains untracked. The API can power search bars, personalized search results, and other functionalities within both web and mobile applications. Its ease of use and emphasis on privacy make it desirable among privacy-conscious users and organizations aiming to enhance user trust. However, just like any other service, it must be secured against potential vulnerabilities that can be leveraged by malicious actors.

The vulnerability identified relates to a Content-Security-Policy (CSP) Bypass, which can lead to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks when not properly mitigated. CSP is a critical security feature that helps to prevent a range of attacks, including Cross-Site Scripting, by allowing content from trusted sources only. A CSP Bypass vulnerability allows attackers to bypass these restrictions, potentially leading to the execution of malicious scripts on the victim's browser. This could result in sensitive data being exposed or malicious actions performed in the context of the affected user. Ensuring the integrity of CSPs is vital in maintaining the security of web applications and safeguarding user data.

The CSP Bypass vulnerability in the DuckDuckGo API is facilitated through a specific endpoint that inadequately enforces the CSP rules, allowing for the injection and execution of unsolicited scripts. The tested parameter involves the ability to inject scripts through specific queries, as demonstrated in the detection script. By leveraging the improper CSP enforcement, an attacker can execute arbitrary JavaScript, potentially leading to unauthorized actions performed within the user’s web session. This kind of exploitation requires strategic manipulation of the CSP header, revealing vulnerabilities due to improper CSP configuration. Such issues highlight the need for rigorous testing and comprehensive security measures to fortify the CSP implementation.

Exploitation of this vulnerability can have significant consequences, ranging from unauthorized data access to full account takeover, depending on the privileges and data accessible via the exploited session. Malicious actors may leverage this weakness to bait users into executing unwanted scripts, potentially exposing sensitive information such as login credentials, session tokens, and personal identifiers. Furthermore, the image of the organization using the API might be tarnished, resulting in loss of user trust and credibility. In severe cases, compromised systems can suffer from defacement or become platforms for launching further attacks, posing broad security implications beyond the initial breach.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/renniepak/CSPBypass/blob/main/data.tsv