CVE-2013-3371 in Best Practical
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Request Tracker (RT) 3.8.3 through 3.8.16 and 4.0.x before 4.0.13 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the filename of an attachment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The CVE-2013-3371 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting the Request Tracker (RT) ticketing system across multiple versions including 3.8.3 through 3.8.16 and 4.0.x before 4.0.13. This vulnerability resides in the attachment handling mechanism of the RT system, specifically in how the application processes and displays attachment filenames. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session by manipulating the filename of uploaded attachments, thereby creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker uploads a file with a malicious filename containing script code that gets rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding of attachment metadata, particularly filename attributes, which are directly incorporated into HTML output streams. This represents a classic case of improper neutralization of input during web application development, aligning with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected attachment listing or details page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate data within the RT system, and potentially escalate privileges. An attacker could craft malicious filenames that contain scripts to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that once an infected attachment is uploaded, the malicious code remains active until the attachment is removed from the system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on RT for ticket management, as it undermines the trust model of the application and creates opportunities for data exfiltration and unauthorized access. The attack surface is significant given that RT is widely used in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise sensitive support ticket data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official patches released for RT versions 3.8.17 and 4.0.13, which address the input sanitization issues in attachment handling. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict attachment filename validation rules, implement proper HTML encoding for all user-supplied content, and consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious attachment filename patterns. The mitigation strategies should align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as the vulnerability creates an attack vector that can be exploited through malicious file uploads. Regular security auditing of input validation mechanisms and comprehensive user education about suspicious attachment handling practices will further reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and monitoring for unusual attachment upload patterns that might indicate malicious activity.