CVE-2011-4814 in Dolibarr
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dolibarr 3.1.0 RC and probably earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to (1) index.php, (2) admin/boxes.php, (3) comm/clients.php, (4) commande/index.php; and the optioncss parameter to (5) admin/ihm.php and (6) user/home.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4814 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dolibarr version 3.1.0 RC and potentially earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's handling of HTTP request parameters. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes PATH_INFO components and the optioncss parameter, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they affect core administrative and user interface components of the Dolibarr ERP and CRM system, which are fundamental to business operations and data management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. When attackers submit malicious payloads through the PATH_INFO parameter to key application files including index.php, admin/boxes.php, comm/clients.php, and commande/index.php, the application fails to adequately filter or escape these inputs. Similarly, the optioncss parameter in admin/ihm.php and user/home.php creates additional attack vectors where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of authenticated user sessions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and output encoding issues. The attack methodology follows the typical pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to user sessions, steal sensitive business information, and potentially escalate privileges within the Dolibarr environment. Given that Dolibarr is commonly used for managing customer relationships, financial data, and business operations, successful exploitation could compromise entire organizational workflows and lead to significant financial and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects both administrative and user-facing components, meaning that attackers could potentially gain access to sensitive data through either user or administrator interfaces, depending on the target user's privileges. Organizations using affected versions of Dolibarr face substantial risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their business-critical information systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4814 should focus on immediate patch application to the affected Dolibarr versions, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout the application. Organizations should ensure that all PATH_INFO parameters and optioncss inputs are properly sanitized and escaped before being rendered in web responses. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution, while regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious HTTP requests can help detect exploitation attempts, and user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites remains essential. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the need for secure coding practices and vulnerability management processes to protect against web application attacks.