CVE-2014-2689 in Offria
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Offiria 2.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to installer/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2689 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Offiria version 2.1.0 and earlier installations. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of HTTP request parameters, specifically the PATH_INFO variable that is processed during the installation phase of the software. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited without requiring any authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the installation process, which typically involves less security scrutiny and may be executed by administrators or users with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter sent to the installer/index.php endpoint. When the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input from this parameter before incorporating it into dynamic web content, it creates an XSS vector that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications. The PATH_INFO parameter typically contains path information that the web server passes to the application, and when this information is improperly handled, it creates an injection point that can be weaponized to bypass standard security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2689 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers can craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or even inject malware delivery mechanisms that can compromise the entire user environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the installer might be accessed by administrators with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper access to the system. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through PowerShell and other command-line interpreters, as the injected scripts can be used to execute further malicious commands on the victim's machine.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly around the installer/index.php endpoint. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, including PATH_INFO parameters, and ensure that any data incorporated into dynamic web content is properly escaped according to the context in which it will be rendered. The fix should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to Offiria versions that address this vulnerability, as the vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 2.1.0. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code review should be implemented to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, following industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing XSS attacks, as proper implementation of these security controls would have prevented the exploitation of this particular flaw.