CVE-2014-3894 in Multifunctional MailForm Free
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHP Kobo Multifunctional MailForm Free 2014/1/28 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an HTTP Referer header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3894 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP Kobo Multifunctional MailForm Free version released on January 28, 2014, and earlier iterations. This security weakness resides in the application's improper handling of HTTP Referer headers, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, specifically manifesting as a reflected XSS attack vector that exploits the application's failure to sanitize user-supplied input from the Referer header.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the HTTP Referer header without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. When a user visits a maliciously crafted webpage that triggers a redirect to the vulnerable application with a specially crafted Referer header containing malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter this input before rendering it in the web response. This allows the attacker's script to execute within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because the Referer header is automatically included by web browsers during navigation, making it an accessible attack vector that requires minimal user interaction to exploit.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3894 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform sophisticated social engineering attacks and maintain persistent access to affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious Referer values that redirect users to phishing pages, steal authentication cookies, or manipulate the application's functionality to execute unauthorized operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where the XSS payload can be delivered through malicious email campaigns that include links with crafted Referer headers. The attack surface is particularly broad since any application using the vulnerable PHP Kobo Multifunctional MailForm component becomes susceptible to this vector, potentially affecting numerous websites and web applications that have not updated to patched versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3894 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user-supplied input, including HTTP headers, before processing or displaying any data within web pages. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, employing proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all dynamic content, and ensuring that the application framework properly handles Referer header validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 security standards, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding controls. Regular security assessments and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in web applications, with particular attention to legacy components that may not receive ongoing security updates.