CVE-2014-8330 in EspoCRM
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in EspoCRM allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Name field in a new account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2019
The CVE-2014-8330 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in EspoCRM, a popular open-source customer relationship management platform. This vulnerability specifically targets the Name field within the account creation functionality, enabling authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content. The flaw exists in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by users who already possess valid credentials within the system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where user-supplied data is improperly sanitized before being rendered back to other users, creating a dangerous chain of execution that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS attack since the malicious content is permanently stored within the application's database and executed whenever other users view the affected account information. The flaw operates through the application's failure to properly sanitize user input in the Name field, allowing attackers to embed JavaScript code or HTML tags that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once inside the system, they can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and access sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets a fundamental data entry field that is frequently used and displayed throughout the application interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8330 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious websites, or extract sensitive information from authenticated sessions. When exploited, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the EspoCRM system by enabling unauthorized access to user data and potentially allowing attackers to gain persistence within the application. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where CRM systems contain sensitive customer data and business-critical information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls to prevent malicious scripts from being stored or executed. The recommended approach involves implementing strict sanitization of all user input fields, particularly those that are displayed in user interfaces, and ensuring that proper HTML escaping is applied to all output. Security patches should be applied to update the application's input validation mechanisms and strengthen the output encoding processes. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policies and regular security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security training for developers and regular code reviews to identify potential XSS flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all users maintain current authentication credentials and that access controls remain properly enforced.