CVE-2014-5237 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the documentconverter component in Open-Xchange (OX) AppSuite before 7.4.2-rev10 and 7.6.x before 7.6.0-rev10 allows remote attackers to trigger requests to arbitrary servers and embed arbitrary images via a URL in an embedded image in a Text document, which is not properly handled by the image preview.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The CVE-2014-5237 vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the documentconverter component of Open-Xchange AppSuite software. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 7.4.2-rev10 and 7.6.x before 7.6.0-rev10, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this email and collaboration platform. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing embedded images within text documents, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the image preview functionality to make unauthorized requests to arbitrary servers on the network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the documentconverter module. When users view documents containing embedded images, the system attempts to fetch and display these images through a preview mechanism. However, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize URL parameters used in the image retrieval process. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that contain references to internal network resources or external malicious servers, enabling them to perform unauthorized network reconnaissance and potentially exfiltrate sensitive information. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including internal network scanning, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to discover internal services, probe for vulnerabilities in internal systems, or even redirect traffic to malicious servers. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal document viewing operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches. Organizations may unknowingly expose their internal infrastructure to external attackers who can leverage this vulnerability to map network topology and identify potential targets for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5237 should focus on immediate software updates to versions 7.4.2-rev10 or 7.6.0-rev10 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, network-level controls such as implementing strict firewall rules to restrict outbound connections from the Open-Xchange servers can help limit the potential impact of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns in image preview requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, where attackers use manipulated application requests to gain unauthorized access to network resources. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application suite.