CVE-2014-8993 in AppSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the backend in Open-Xchange (OX) AppSuite before 7.4.2-rev40, 7.6.0 before 7.6.0-rev32, and 7.6.1 before 7.6.1-rev11 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted XHTML file with the application/xhtml+xml MIME type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8993 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the backend components of Open-Xchange AppSuite, a comprehensive collaboration platform widely used in enterprise environments. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software including the 7.4.2-rev40, 7.6.0-rev32, and 7.6.1-rev11 release lines, indicating a persistent issue that required multiple patch releases to address. The flaw specifically resides in how the system processes XHTML content, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of MIME type handling within the application's backend processing mechanisms. When the system encounters a crafted XHTML file with the application/xhtml+xml MIME type, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the content before rendering it within the web interface. This improper handling creates an environment where malicious HTML or JavaScript code embedded within the XHTML file can be executed in the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the backend level, meaning attackers do not require direct user interaction beyond delivering the malicious file, making it a server-side XSS vector that can be leveraged for persistent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Given that Open-Xchange AppSuite serves as a collaboration platform for email, calendar, contacts, and other business-critical functions, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of user accounts and sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') aligns with established patterns of XSS vulnerabilities that have been documented across numerous web applications and platforms. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject persistent backdoors into the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions, specifically targeting the release versions mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within their backend processing pipelines, particularly for content with application/xhtml+xml MIME types. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious file uploads and content delivery patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would align with T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through crafted content and execute code within user browsers. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as the underlying issue reflects broader patterns of insufficient input validation that commonly affect web applications processing user-supplied content.