CVE-2014-5331 in Aflax
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Aflax allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2019
The CVE-2014-5331 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Aflax content management system, a web application framework designed for creating and managing digital content. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection attacks that exploit weaknesses in web application input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious websites. The unspecified vectors indicate that the attack surface encompasses multiple potential entry points within the application's processing logic, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it could be exploited through various user interaction scenarios.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input data within the Aflax framework. When users submit content or interact with the application's interfaces, the system fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that are subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where improper input handling creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5331 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks within the context of the compromised web application. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, deface web pages, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of internal network structures to carry out successful attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that process user-generated content, making it a significant concern for any organization relying on Aflax for content management or web publishing operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5331 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application stack. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed, utilizing established libraries and frameworks that provide built-in protection against XSS attacks. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTTPOnly flags for session cookies, and regular security audits of web applications can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for social engineering tactics that could be employed by attackers leveraging this flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected Aflax version, along with comprehensive code reviews to identify other potential injection points within the application architecture.