CVE-2005-3397 in Comersus Backoffice Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Comersus BackOffice allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the error parameter to comersus_backoffice_supportError.asp. NOTE: the comersus_backoffice_message.asp/message vector is already covered by CVE-2005-2191 item 2.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3397 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Comersus BackOffice component that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through a specific input vector. This vulnerability specifically targets the error parameter in the comersus_backoffice_supportError.asp script, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious content that can be executed in the context of users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed and displayed within the application's interface.
This XSS vulnerability operates through the manipulation of the error parameter, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious payloads into the application's error handling mechanism. When the application processes this parameter without adequate sanitization or output encoding, it inadvertently executes the injected script within the browser context of legitimate users who encounter the error page. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where improper validation or sanitization of user-provided data allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive backend functionality. The Comersus BackOffice system, being a backend management interface, typically handles sensitive administrative operations and user data, making it a prime target for exploitation. Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the administrative interface, allowing attackers to modify system configurations, access confidential data, or inject persistent malicious code that could affect all users interacting with the vulnerable application. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the error handling mechanism which is frequently accessed during application operation.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at the application level to ensure all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in error handling, are properly sanitized before processing. The implementation should follow secure coding practices that encode output based on the context where it will be rendered, such as HTML encoding for web page content and JavaScript encoding for dynamic script execution contexts. Additionally, proper error handling should be implemented to prevent sensitive information leakage and ensure that error messages do not contain user-controllable data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies as additional protective measures. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques related to command and control through web application exploitation and credential access through session manipulation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.