CVE-2014-5234 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the backend in Open-Xchange (OX) AppSuite before 7.4.2-rev33 and 7.6.x before 7.6.0-rev16 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a folder publication name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The CVE-2014-5234 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Open-Xchange AppSuite backend software. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 7.4.2-rev33 and 7.6.x prior to 7.6.0-rev16, making it a significant security concern for organizations relying on this email and collaboration platform. The vulnerability specifically targets the folder publication name functionality within the backend system, creating an attack vector that enables remote malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Open-Xchange AppSuite backend. When administrators or users create or modify folder publication names, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages. This insufficient sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browser context of other users who view the affected folder publication names. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a classic cross-site scripting weakness, where untrusted data is directly included in web output without proper encoding or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged to perform various malicious activities within the compromised environment. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify content displayed to authenticated users, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this vulnerability. This makes it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where administrators frequently publish folders containing sensitive information that could be manipulated through crafted publication names.
The attack surface is particularly concerning given that folder publication functionality is commonly used in collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared resources. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code through a folder publication name, any user who views that publication within the application becomes a potential victim of the XSS attack. This creates a chain reaction effect where a single compromised publication name can affect numerous users within the organization. Organizations following ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for command and control through web shells or script injection would find this vulnerability particularly relevant as it enables persistent malicious code execution within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5234 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Open-Xchange AppSuite installations to versions 7.4.2-rev33 or 7.6.0-rev16 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied data, and regular security scanning of application components. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual folder publication creation activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Implementing content security policies and regular security awareness training for administrators can further reduce the risk of successful exploitation, as the vulnerability often relies on social engineering elements to trick users into interacting with maliciously crafted publication names.