CVE-2014-9716 in WebODF
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebODF before 0.5.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2022
The CVE-2014-9716 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the WebODF document processing library prior to version 0.5.4. This vulnerability exposes applications that utilize WebODF for rendering office documents to potential exploitation by remote attackers who can inject malicious scripts through carefully crafted file names. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the library's handling of document filenames, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts in the context of a victim's browser session. The affected WebODF versions fail to properly escape or validate special characters present in file names, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted as executable code rather than benign filename data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through the manipulation of file naming conventions within document processing workflows. When WebODF processes a document with a maliciously crafted filename containing script tags or other executable content, the library fails to sanitize these inputs before rendering them in the web interface. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability specifically affects the rendering pipeline where file names are displayed or processed within the user interface, making it particularly dangerous in web applications that allow users to upload or process documents with arbitrary filenames.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9716 extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential for severe security breaches in web applications that rely on WebODF for document handling. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session manipulation attacks, steal sensitive information from authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in collaborative environments where users may upload documents with untrusted filenames, as it provides a vector for privilege escalation attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and demonstrates how insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data can lead to persistent security risks in web applications.
Organizations utilizing WebODF should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to version 0.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as filename sanitization at the application level, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments of document processing workflows. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their document processing systems and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security updates and monitoring of third-party libraries remain essential practices for maintaining secure web applications that handle user-generated content.