CVE-2014-9905 in SOGo
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Web Calendar in SOGo before 2.2.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) title of an appointment or (2) contact fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9905 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Web Calendar component of SOGo, a collaborative software platform widely used for email, calendar, and contact management. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 2.2.0 and exposes users to significant security risks through the injection of malicious web scripts or HTML content. The flaw specifically targets two primary input vectors: appointment titles and contact fields, making it particularly dangerous as these are common data entry points that users frequently interact with during normal calendar operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Web Calendar module of SOGo. When users create appointments or manage contact information, the application fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before rendering it in web pages. This inadequate sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected calendar entries or contact details. The vulnerability manifests as a classic XSS flaw that can be categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as remote attackers can exploit this without authentication, making it particularly concerning for collaborative environments where multiple users share calendar data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9905 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker who successfully injects malicious scripts can steal user session cookies, redirect victims to phishing sites, or execute arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using SOGo for business collaboration, where calendar data often contains sensitive business information and personal details. The attack surface is broad since calendar applications are frequently accessed by multiple users throughout the day, providing numerous opportunities for exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1071.001 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) as it enables attackers to craft malicious web content that can be delivered to unsuspecting users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9905 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to SOGo 2.2.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the implementation of proper HTML escaping and sanitization routines for all user-provided data. Network administrators should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additional protective measures include regular security assessments of web applications, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting user awareness training to recognize potential phishing attempts that may exploit such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect collaborative environments from persistent threats.