CVE-2014-5322 in FileMaker Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Instant Web Publish function in FileMaker Pro before 13 and Pro Advanced before 13 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2013-3640.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5322 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within FileMaker Pro's Instant Web Publish functionality, affecting versions prior to 13 and Pro Advanced prior to 13. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected systems, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability emerged as a result of an inadequate remediation for a previous issue, CVE-2013-3640, demonstrating how flawed security fixes can create new attack vectors rather than resolving existing ones.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Instant Web Publish function. When users interact with web-based FileMaker applications, the system processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the browser context of other users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The attack occurs through unspecified vectors, suggesting that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, potentially including form inputs, URL parameters, or other user-controllable data sources within the web publishing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. In enterprise environments where FileMaker Pro serves as a database management platform for critical business applications, this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential compromise of entire database systems. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors need not have physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on web-based database publishing solutions.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patching of affected FileMaker Pro versions to 13 or later, where the vulnerability has been properly addressed. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while input validation and output encoding measures should be strengthened throughout the application stack. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper vulnerability management processes and the need for thorough testing of security patches to ensure that fixes do not introduce new weaknesses, as demonstrated by the relationship to CVE-2013-3640. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for phishing techniques, as attackers may leverage the XSS capability to deliver additional malicious payloads or establish persistence within the target environment.