CVE-2014-5129 in ProjectDox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Avolve Software ProjectDox 8.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The CVE-2014-5129 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Avolve Software ProjectDox version 8.1, a document management and collaboration platform widely used in enterprise environments. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The unspecified vectors in the original description suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple entry points within the application's input handling mechanisms.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the ProjectDox application. When users interact with the platform, particularly through forms, file uploads, or URL parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5129 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire user sessions and sensitive data. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or even perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In enterprise environments where ProjectDox is used for document sharing and collaboration, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to confidential business documents, intellectual property theft, and potential compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many organizations rely on such platforms for critical business operations and sensitive data management.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent script execution. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding techniques and ensuring that any data rendered in web pages is properly escaped to prevent script interpretation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security headers can provide additional layers of protection. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, as attackers can leverage XSS to create convincing phishing attacks or manipulate user interactions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's attack surface.