CVE-2012-1829 in AutoFORM PDM Archive
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in AutoFORM PDM Archive before 6.920 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified fields.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The CVE-2012-1829 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in AutoFORM PDM Archive versions prior to 6.920, exposing organizations to significant web application risks through multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the AutoFORM PDM Archive system, which is widely used for product data management and document control in engineering and manufacturing environments. The flaw allows remote authenticated users to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into unspecified input fields within the application's interface, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's classification as a cross-site scripting issue places it squarely within the scope of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive product data, intellectual property theft, or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the AutoFORM PDM Archive application. When authenticated users interact with the system, their inputs are not properly sanitized before being processed or displayed back to other users. This failure to validate and escape user-supplied data creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute in the browsers of other legitimate users. The unspecified nature of the vulnerable fields suggests that the weakness exists across multiple input points within the application's interface, making the attack surface broader than typical single-point XSS vulnerabilities. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once inside the system, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges or extract sensitive information from other users' sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1829 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the AutoFORM PDM Archive environment. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject scripts that harvest sensitive product data and intellectual property stored within the system. The implications are particularly severe for engineering and manufacturing organizations that rely on AutoFORM PDM Archive for managing proprietary designs, technical specifications, and confidential project information. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access restricted documents, modify product specifications, or even disrupt critical engineering workflows by injecting malicious code into the document management system. This threat is further amplified by the fact that AutoFORM PDM Archive systems often contain highly sensitive data that could be of significant value to competitors or malicious actors seeking to exploit industrial espionage opportunities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their AutoFORM PDM Archive systems. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to version 6.920 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while also establishing robust input sanitization processes for all user-supplied data. The implementation of content security policies can further limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application environment. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any remaining vulnerabilities in the system and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures. The remediation process should also include user education to prevent credential compromise and establish proper access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.