CVE-2014-1992 in Garoon
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Messages functionality in Cybozu Garoon 3.1.x, 3.5.x, and 3.7.x before 3.7 SP4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1992 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the messaging capabilities of Cybozu Garoon software versions 3.1.x through 3.7.x, specifically prior to the release of version 3.7 SP4. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within its messaging functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability affects a range of versions including the widely used 3.5.x series, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet upgraded their systems. The flaw operates by failing to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, thereby allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browsers of unsuspecting victims.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. This classification indicates that the flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's message processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted messages containing malicious script code that gets stored and subsequently executed when other users view the compromised messages. The authenticated nature of the attack means that exploitation requires prior access to the system, typically through legitimate user credentials, which makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the application is used for sensitive communications. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple entry points within the messaging functionality, potentially including message composition, reply features, or notification systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1992 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities through the compromised user sessions. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to access sensitive corporate communications, steal session cookies to maintain persistent access, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute commands on behalf of the compromised users. In enterprise environments where Cybozu Garoon is used for internal communications, this vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks, as attackers might gain access to information that would otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to user privacy and organizational security posture, as it could enable the collection of confidential information transmitted through the messaging system. Organizations using affected versions of the software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive business communications, potentially leading to intellectual property theft, financial fraud, or regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Cybozu Garoon 3.7 SP4 or later versions that contain the necessary security patches addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, enhanced input validation on message content, and regular security assessments of the messaging infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust security practices within collaborative platforms, as these systems often serve as primary communication channels for sensitive organizational information. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify potentially malicious messages and establish monitoring procedures for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given the authenticated nature of the vulnerability, access control measures should be reinforced to limit potential attack vectors and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to messaging functionality.