CVE-2014-2710 in Oliver
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Oliver (formerly Webshare) 1.3.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to the (1) login page (index.php) or (2) login form (loginform-inc.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2710 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Oliver 1.3.1 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the Webshare platform. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of HTTP request parameters, particularly the PATH_INFO component that is processed during authentication workflows. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the authentication modules of the web application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PATH_INFO parameters that contain script code, which then gets executed when the vulnerable pages process these inputs. The attack vectors specifically target two critical components: the login page (index.php) and the login form (loginform-inc.php), both of which are essential for user authentication and session establishment. This dual-target approach increases the exploitation surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
From an operational perspective, this XSS vulnerability poses significant risks to both application integrity and user security. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts in the browser of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the authentication context, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access to user accounts or even administrative privileges. The impact extends beyond individual user sessions to potentially compromise the entire application's security posture, as the malicious scripts could be used to capture additional credentials or redirect users to malicious sites.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Oliver should immediately implement input validation controls, sanitize all PATH_INFO parameters, and ensure proper output encoding of user-supplied content. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to patched versions of the application, implementing Content Security Policy headers, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns. Additionally, comprehensive security testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components that might process user input without adequate sanitization measures.