CVE-2014-100013 in clientResponse
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in clientResponse 4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Subject or (2) Message field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-100013 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the clientResponse 4.1 application, specifically affecting the handling of user input in message submission processes. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, where insufficient sanitization of user-provided data creates exploitable entry points for malicious actors. The flaw manifests in two primary locations within the application's user interface, specifically targeting the Subject and Message fields that users can populate when submitting communications through the clientResponse platform. These fields serve as the primary attack vectors due to their direct integration with the web application's rendering engine without adequate security controls to prevent malicious script execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter special characters in user input before processing and displaying the content. When users submit messages containing malicious scripts within the Subject or Message fields, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation or sanitization, allowing the malicious code to be executed within the context of other users' browsers. This represents a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability where the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed whenever other users view the affected content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation creates persistent security risks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, creating potential pathways for attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially compromising entire user sessions and enabling further exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core communication functionality, meaning that any user interaction with the message submission system could be exploited. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics involving malicious payloads in communication channels, and could enable subsequent attacks through credential theft or privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the clientResponse application. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation that filters or escapes special characters before processing user submissions, combined with proper output encoding when rendering user content in web pages. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS patterns, implement content security policies to restrict script execution, and conduct comprehensive security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing. Additionally, regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and input validation techniques should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future application releases. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defense-in-depth strategies and continuous security monitoring to protect against persistent threats that exploit fundamental web application security flaws.