CVE-2011-5269 in ProjectForge
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ProjectForge before 3.5.3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a validation message.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5269 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in ProjectForge version 3.5.2 and earlier, classified under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can manipulate validation messages within the application's interface. The flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. When users submit data that triggers validation errors, the system displays these messages without adequate protection against malicious script injection, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by attackers who have already gained legitimate access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. Attackers can craft validation messages containing malicious javascript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared data. The authenticated nature of the attack means that exploitation requires prior access to valid user credentials, but once achieved, the attacker can leverage the vulnerability to compromise the integrity of the application's user interface and potentially access sensitive data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious javascript payloads within the victim's browser context.
Organizations utilizing ProjectForge versions prior to 3.5.3 should prioritize immediate remediation through the official update process, as this vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with legitimate user accounts. The fix implemented in version 3.5.3 likely includes enhanced input validation and output encoding mechanisms that properly escape special characters in validation messages and other user-generated content. Security teams should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious validation message patterns and consider implementing content security policies to further mitigate potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in collaborative environments where user-generated content is prevalent. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar input handling flaws and implement proper sanitization techniques that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.