CVE-2015-0896 in eXtplorer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in eXtplorer before 2.1.7 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2018
The CVE-2015-0896 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in eXtplorer versions prior to 2.1.7, specifically targeting cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content within user browsers. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a pervasive and dangerous class of web application security flaws that occur when applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into web pages served to other users. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of eXtplorer, which is a web-based file manager application designed to provide remote access to file systems through a web interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application flaws.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the eXtplorer application's codebase. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access affected pages. This typically occurs through manipulation of parameters, file names, or directory paths that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application's interface could be compromised, potentially including file upload functionality, directory traversal operations, or any component that accepts user input for display purposes. This lack of specificity in the vector description indicates a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture rather than a single isolated flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0896 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to severe consequences including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential full system compromise. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts, they can manipulate user sessions, steal authentication cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where eXtplorer is used for file management across multiple users or sensitive data, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to files and potentially escalate privileges. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for initial access through malicious file downloads or web applications, and could be leveraged for subsequent techniques including credential access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to eXtplorer version 2.1.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing of all input handling mechanisms, particularly focusing on areas where file names, paths, and user-provided parameters are used in web page generation. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, using secure coding practices, and maintaining up-to-date security frameworks can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security teams should also consider network-based detection measures and monitor for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar security flaws across the entire application portfolio.