CVE-2013-5646 in webmail
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Roundcube webmail 1.0-git allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Name field of an addressbook group.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The CVE-2013-5646 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Roundcube webmail version 1.0-git that exposes organizations to significant security risks through remote authenticated attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the addressbook group management functionality where the Name field serves as an injection vector for malicious web scripts or HTML content. The flaw exists in the web application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can manipulate the Name field of addressbook groups to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's database. When other users view these compromised group entries, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input sanitization practices and inadequate output encoding that should occur before any user-controllable data is rendered in web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass broader security implications for email communication systems. Organizations utilizing Roundcube webmail face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and compromise of user sessions through session hijacking techniques. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can systematically inject malicious code into shared addressbook groups that multiple users access. This creates a scalable attack vector where a single compromised account can affect numerous users within the organization's communication infrastructure. The vulnerability also undermines user trust in the email system and may expose sensitive business communications to unauthorized parties.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5646 should encompass both immediate and long-term security measures to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to sanitize all user-controllable data before rendering it in web interfaces, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for session hijacking prevention. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to a secure version of Roundcube that addresses the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, regular security code reviews, and input sanitization libraries can provide layered defense mechanisms. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns in addressbook group modifications, while user education about phishing attempts and credential protection remains crucial. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in their email infrastructure and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.