CVE-2014-5441 in Fat Free
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in app/views/layouts/application.html.haml in Fat Free CRM before 0.13.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) username, (2) first name, or (3) last name in a (a) create or (b) edit user action.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5441 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Fat Free CRM application framework prior to version 0.13.3. This issue resides in the application's layout template file app/views/layouts/application.html.haml, which serves as the foundational structure for the user interface across multiple administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically targets user input fields during both creation and editing operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during routine user management activities. The flaw affects three distinct user attributes including username, first name, and last name, which are commonly used fields in user account management systems and are frequently manipulated by both legitimate users and malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the Fat Free CRM application. When users submit data through the create or edit user actions, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it within the html template. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code or html content directly into the user interface, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses, where the application fails to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be executed through standard user account management workflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5441 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a persistent security risk for all users within the affected CRM system. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's reach is amplified because it affects core user management functionality, meaning that any user with access to the CRM system could be targeted through these malicious inputs. Additionally, the attack can be executed through social engineering techniques where attackers manipulate user input fields to deliver malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers can exploit these input fields to deliver malicious scripts that persist in the application's user interface.
Organizations using Fat Free CRM versions prior to 0.13.3 face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, potential compromise of user sessions, and possible lateral movement within network environments where CRM systems are integrated. The vulnerability's persistence in the application's core layout template means that malicious code injection can occur across multiple pages and user interactions, creating a broad attack surface. Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrading to version 0.13.3 or later, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and conducting thorough security reviews of all user input handling processes. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as content security policies and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.