CVE-2014-3650 in Aerogear
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2022
Multiple persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) flaws were found in the way Aerogear handled certain user-supplied content. A remote attacker could use these flaws to compromise the application with specially crafted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3650 represents a critical security flaw in Aerogear's handling of user-supplied content, exposing the system to persistent cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as persistent XSS flaws that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Aerogear's content processing pipeline, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected applications by injecting specially crafted input into user-supplied content fields. This persistent nature means that the malicious scripts are stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access the affected application, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time. The flaw occurs at the application layer where user inputs are not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered back to users, creating an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments and T1059.001 for command and control through script execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3650 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as persistent XSS vulnerabilities can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, manipulate application functionality, and potentially gain access to sensitive user data or system resources. The vulnerability affects the core security posture of Aerogear applications and could compromise the integrity of user sessions and data confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. Organizations should deploy proper content security policies, implement strict input sanitization routines, and ensure all user-supplied content is properly encoded before rendering. The fix should include implementing CSP headers, employing proper HTML escaping techniques, and conducting regular security code reviews to prevent similar issues. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also consider adopting secure coding practices aligned with OWASP Top Ten recommendations and ensure all application components are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities.