CVE-2013-5690 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Open-Xchange AppSuite before 7.2.2 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) content with the text/xml MIME type or (2) the Status comment field of an appointment.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The CVE-2013-5690 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Open-Xchange AppSuite versions prior to 7.2.2, exposing organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability affects the email and calendar functionalities of the platform, where authenticated users can exploit the XSS weaknesses to inject malicious scripts into system components. The flaw specifically targets two distinct input vectors that demonstrate the complexity of web application security challenges in enterprise email solutions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Open-Xchange AppSuite application. When processing content with text/xml MIME type or when handling appointment status comments, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web responses. This omission creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit the flaw. This authentication requirement slightly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the potential impact.
The operational implications of CVE-2013-5690 are substantial for organizations relying on Open-Xchange AppSuite for email and calendar services. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector through the Status comment field is particularly concerning as it allows manipulation of calendar appointments, potentially leading to phishing attacks or disruption of business operations. The text/xml MIME type exploitation demonstrates how different content handling mechanisms within the same application can present varying degrees of security risk. Organizations using this platform faced potential data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and user impersonation threats that could compromise entire email ecosystems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate patching to version 7.2.2 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding measures. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments of their email infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation leading to code execution vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, targeting credential access through malicious content delivery, and potentially T1059 for command execution within user contexts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other components of their email infrastructure and establish robust input validation practices across all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.