CVE-2014-9678 in Flexpaper
Summary
by MITRE
FlexPaperViewer.swf in Flexpaper before 2.3.1 allows remote attackers to conduct content-spoofing attacks via the Swfile parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9678 affects FlexPaperViewer.swf, a Flash-based document viewer component used in web applications for rendering PDF documents. This security flaw exists in versions of FlexPaper prior to 2.3.1 and represents a critical content-spoofing vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to manipulate the content displayed to end users. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the application handles the Swfile parameter, which is used to specify the Flash file that should be loaded and displayed within the viewer interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the FlexPaper viewer component. When the Swfile parameter is processed, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject malicious Flash content or redirect the viewer to load arbitrary SWF files from external sources. This improper handling of user input creates a path for attackers to substitute legitimate content with malicious alternatives, potentially leading to the display of fraudulent documents or the execution of malicious Flash code within the context of the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation, as it can be leveraged to conduct sophisticated social engineering attacks and phishing campaigns. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when visited by unsuspecting users, cause the viewer to load deceptive content that mimics legitimate documents or interfaces. This capability directly aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for social engineering, specifically targeting the manipulation of user trust through content spoofing. The vulnerability also falls under CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in application security.
Security implications of this vulnerability are significant as it enables attackers to bypass normal content delivery mechanisms and substitute legitimate documents with malicious alternatives without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the browser context, leveraging the trust users place in legitimate document viewers. Organizations using vulnerable versions of FlexPaper may find their users exposed to various threats including document tampering, information disclosure, and potential execution of malicious Flash content that could exploit additional browser vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to version 2.3.1 or later, which includes proper input validation for the Swfile parameter. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as content security policy (CSP) headers to restrict the loading of external Flash content and monitor for suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network-level controls can be deployed to filter traffic containing potentially malicious Swfile parameter values, while application-level defenses should include strict input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive security testing of all embedded Flash components and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components.