CVE-2013-3648 in POST-MAIL
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in KENT-WEB POST-MAIL before 6.7, when Internet Explorer 7 or earlier is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified form field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3648 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the KENT-WEB POST-MAIL software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.7. This security weakness manifests when the application processes user input through an unspecified form field, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning as it targets Internet Explorer 7 and earlier versions, which were prevalent in enterprise environments during the early 2010s and often lacked the modern security mitigations present in newer browser versions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the KENT-WEB POST-MAIL application. When users submit data through the affected form field, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where improper validation or encoding of user-supplied data creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into web applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between the user and the web application, enabling attackers to execute scripts in the context of the victim's session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially compromise entire user accounts. In enterprise environments utilizing older Internet Explorer versions, this vulnerability could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject phishing content that appears legitimate to users. The specific targeting of IE 7 and earlier versions means that organizations with legacy browser support requirements were particularly vulnerable, as these older browsers lacked many of the security features that would otherwise mitigate such attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it a preferred target for both skilled attackers and automated exploit tools, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through spearphishing with links.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect their systems. The primary mitigation involves updating to KENT-WEB POST-MAIL version 6.7 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Input validation should be strengthened to ensure all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing, and output encoding should be implemented to prevent malicious scripts from executing when rendered in web browsers. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can also help detect and block malicious payloads, though these should be considered supplementary rather than primary defenses. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the risks associated with supporting legacy browser versions that lack modern security protections.