CVE-2014-5178 in Easy File Sharing Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Easy File Sharing (EFS) Web Server 6.8 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the content parameter when (1) creating a topic or (2) posting an answer. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5178 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Easy File Sharing Web Server version 6.8, specifically affecting the content parameter during topic creation and answer posting operations. This vulnerability resides in the server's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied content fails to undergo proper sanitization before being rendered back to other users within the web interface. The flaw manifests as a persistent XSS vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user account within the Easy File Sharing environment, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing script code within the content parameter when creating topics or posting answers, which then get executed whenever other users view these content elements. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts. The attack vector operates through the web application's user interface where legitimate content submission processes become entry points for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5178 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to shared files and folders within the Easy File Sharing environment. When authenticated users interact with maliciously crafted content, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the fact that the malicious content remains stored on the server and continues to be served to other users until manually removed, creating a sustained threat vector. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious content to gain access to systems through web application vulnerabilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the Easy File Sharing Web Server. The most effective approach involves validating all user-supplied content against a strict whitelist of acceptable characters and encoding any potentially dangerous characters before storage and rendering. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. The server should also enforce proper session management practices and implement rate limiting to prevent abuse of the vulnerable endpoints. Organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of the Easy File Sharing Web Server where these vulnerabilities have been addressed, as well as conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder of the persistent threat that insecure input handling poses to web-based file sharing systems.