CVE-2014-1679 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Open-Xchange (OX) AppSuite before 7.2.2-rev31, 7.4.0 before 7.4.0-rev27, and 7.4.1 before 7.4.1-rev17 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the header in an attached SVG file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2018
The CVE-2014-1679 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Open-Xchange AppSuite email platform that affects multiple version ranges including 7.2.2-rev31, 7.4.0-rev27, and 7.4.1-rev17. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing attached SVG files, specifically targeting the header field of these vector graphics documents. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user data and system integrity. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent threats in web applications. The attack vector specifically exploits the improper handling of SVG file headers, where attackers can craft malicious SVG attachments that contain embedded JavaScript code or HTML elements that execute when the file is rendered or processed by the vulnerable email client.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Open-Xchange AppSuite processes SVG attachments without adequate sanitization of the header content, allowing malicious payloads to bypass security controls. When a user opens or previews an infected SVG file, the embedded script code executes in the browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because SVG files are commonly used for email attachments and web graphics, making them an attractive attack vector for threat actors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of spearphishing attachments to gain initial access to systems. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign file formats can become weaponized when applications fail to properly validate and sanitize content, creating a pathway for persistent threats to establish footholds within enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1679 extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and persistent threat establishment within affected organizations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, harvest sensitive information, or deploy additional malware components through the compromised email system. The vulnerability's persistence is heightened by the fact that SVG files are often automatically processed and rendered by email clients, making user interaction minimal for exploitation. Organizations utilizing Open-Xchange AppSuite in enterprise environments face significant risk of targeted attacks, especially when dealing with untrusted email sources or when users receive malicious attachments from phishing campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete compromise of user sessions, unauthorized access to email accounts, and potential lateral movement within networks through stolen credentials or compromised user permissions. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in compliance-sensitive environments where email security is paramount and data protection regulations require robust defenses against such attack vectors. The remediation approach must include immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of SVG file content filtering, and enhanced email security measures including sandboxing of suspicious attachments and user education regarding dangerous file types.