CVE-2010-2885 in RoboHelp
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe RoboHelp 7 and 8, and RoboHelp Server 7 and 8, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to WebHelp generation with RoboHelp for Word.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2885 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Adobe RoboHelp versions 7 and 8, along with RoboHelp Server versions 7 and 8. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation during the WebHelp generation process when using RoboHelp for Word, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within victim browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when generating web-based help content that incorporates user-supplied data without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous in environments where collaborative documentation creation occurs. The flaw resides in the software's handling of HTML content and script tags during the conversion process from Microsoft Word documents to web-based help systems, allowing attackers to embed malicious payloads that execute when users view the generated WebHelp content.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through the injection of malicious script code into the WebHelp generation workflow, where user-provided content from Word documents gets processed and converted into HTML format for web delivery. The flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate the generation process by introducing script tags or other malicious HTML elements that are subsequently rendered in the browser when users access the help content. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')" and represents a classic example of how insecure data handling in content management systems can lead to widespread client-side exploitation. The attack vector specifically targets the integration point between Microsoft Word and Adobe RoboHelp's web generation capabilities, where input validation fails to properly sanitize user data before it gets embedded into generated web content.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2885 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Organizations utilizing RoboHelp for creating documentation may unknowingly distribute compromised help files that can be exploited by unauthorized parties, potentially affecting thousands of users who access these help systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where documentation systems are widely used and may contain sensitive operational information. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain access to internal documentation, user credentials, or other sensitive data that might be present in the help content, especially when the WebHelp system is integrated with enterprise portals or intranet applications. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring user interaction beyond viewing the compromised help content, making it a stealthy and potentially persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2885 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within the RoboHelp generation process, ensuring that all user-supplied content undergoes strict filtering before being incorporated into web help systems. Organizations should consider upgrading to patched versions of Adobe RoboHelp and RoboHelp Server where available, as Adobe released security updates addressing this vulnerability. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and blocking suspicious script content in web traffic. Regular security assessments of generated WebHelp content should be conducted to identify and remediate any potentially compromised files. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring of the documentation generation environment to prevent unauthorized modifications to help content. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated systems to ensure that the XSS vulnerability has been properly addressed while maintaining the functionality of the documentation generation process. Security awareness training for documentation teams is also recommended to prevent accidental introduction of malicious content through the help generation workflow.