CVE-2014-2385 in Sophos
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web UI in Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux before 9.6.1 allow local users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) newListList:ExcludeFileOnExpression, (2) newListList:ExcludeFilesystems, or (3) newListList:ExcludeMountPaths parameter to exclusion/configure or (4) text:EmailServer or (5) newListList:Email parameter to notification/configure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-2385 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux versions prior to 9.6.1. This vulnerability resides within the web-based user interface of the security solution, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by local users with system access. The flaw manifests through multiple parameter injection points within the configuration interfaces, specifically targeting the exclusion and notification configuration sections of the software. These parameters are processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization, creating persistent XSS vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects local users rather than remote attackers, meaning that any user with access to the system could potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation might be possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the web UI components. When users provide values for the newListList:ExcludeFileOnExpression, newListList:ExcludeFilesystems, newListList:ExcludeMountPaths, text:EmailServer, or newListList:Email parameters, the application fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before rendering them in web pages. This lack of input sanitization creates conditions where malicious code can be injected and subsequently executed when other users view the affected configuration pages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of improper input validation that allows attackers to inject malicious content. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they target configuration interfaces that are frequently accessed by system administrators, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges or manipulate security policies. The parameters involved in this vulnerability are part of the core configuration mechanisms that control file exclusions and email notifications, making the potential impact on system security substantial.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Local attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites or steal session cookies. The configuration-focused nature of the vulnerability means that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized changes in exclusion rules, potentially allowing malware to bypass security controls or compromising the integrity of email notifications that are critical for security monitoring. Additionally, the fact that this affects the web UI configuration interface means that any authenticated user could potentially exploit this vulnerability, creating a significant risk in environments where multiple users have access to the system. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through web application exploitation, as it provides a method for attackers to manipulate system configurations and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux software to version 9.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit local access to systems running this software, reducing the attack surface for local privilege escalation attempts. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including application-level sanitization of all parameters, implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent script execution, and regular security assessments of web interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous configuration changes or suspicious script injections in web interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the critical need for input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive configuration data. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the security infrastructure, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern in web application security that could affect other software products with similar configuration interfaces.