CVE-2013-1646 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Open-Xchange Server before 6.20.7 rev14, 6.22.0 before rev13, and 6.22.1 before rev14 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) invalid JSON data in a mail-sending POST request, (2) an arbitrary parameter to servlet/TestServlet, (3) a javascript: URL in a standalone-mode action to a UWA module, (4) an infostore attachment, (5) JavaScript code in a contact image, (6) an RSS feed, or (7) a signature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The CVE-2013-1646 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw affecting Open-Xchange Server versions prior to specific revision numbers. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the server's web interface components. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability affects multiple attack vectors including mail handling, servlet parameters, standalone mode actions, infostore attachments, contact images, RSS feeds, and user signatures, demonstrating the widespread nature of the input sanitization failure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through several distinct pathways that all share the common theme of insufficient data sanitization. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code through invalid JSON data in mail-sending POST requests, where the server fails to properly validate or escape the JSON content before processing. The servlet/TestServlet endpoint accepts arbitrary parameters without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject script code directly into the application's response. Standalone-mode actions in UWA modules accept javascript: URLs without validation, while infostore attachments can contain malicious code that executes when users view the attachments. Contact image fields permit JavaScript code injection, RSS feeds can contain malicious scripts, and user signatures can be crafted to execute harmful code when displayed.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1646 extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential for serious security breaches within email and collaboration environments. An attacker could compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information from email communications, manipulate contact data, or gain unauthorized access to corporate collaboration systems. The vulnerability's presence across multiple modules means that a single injection point could potentially compromise various application functions simultaneously. Organizations using Open-Xchange Server would face risks including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and complete compromise of user accounts, particularly in environments where users frequently interact with external email sources or collaborate on shared documents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Open-Xchange Server installations to versions 6.20.7 rev14, 6.22.0 rev13, or 6.22.1 rev14. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation across all user-supplied data points, including JSON parsing with strict schema validation, parameter sanitization in servlet endpoints, and proper URL encoding for all dynamic content. Security measures should include Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent script execution, regular security audits of web application interfaces, and user education about suspicious email content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), highlighting both the application-level weakness and potential exploitation pathways. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns while monitoring for suspicious activities in their email and collaboration systems.