CVE-2011-3686 in ConferenceManager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in myAddressBook.asp in Sonexis ConferenceManager 9.2.11.0 and 9.3.14.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) fname, (2) lname, (3) email_edit, (4) email, (5) email2, (6) email3, (7) sms, (8) sms_id, or (9) work parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3686 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Sonexis ConferenceManager version 9.2.11.0 and 9.3.14.0, specifically within the myAddressBook.asp component. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through multiple input parameters, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this conferencing software. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves nine distinct parameters that serve as attack vectors including fname, lname, email_edit, email, email2, email3, sms, sms_id, and work. These parameters are all susceptible to XSS exploitation because the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters in user input before incorporating them into dynamic web content. When an attacker submits malicious script code through any of these fields, the application processes the input without proper sanitization, allowing the injected code to execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for conference management systems that rely on user-generated contact information. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the application interface, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects the core address book functionality where users maintain contact information, making it particularly dangerous as it could compromise the integrity of personal and professional contact data. Organizations using this software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive communications and potential data breaches that could affect business continuity and user privacy.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, specifically addressing the improper sanitization of user-supplied input data. This weakness falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing with Pretext" and T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts in victim browsers. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to prevent such vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigations include implementing strict input sanitization routines, employing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in application code.