CVE-2015-2082 in Prosoft Hrms
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Login.aspx in UNIT4 Prosoft HRMS before 8.14.330.43 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the txtUserID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The CVE-2015-2082 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the UNIT4 Prosoft HRMS authentication component, specifically within the Login.aspx page. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 8.14.330.43 and demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user input through the txtUserID parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the txtUserID parameter during the login process. This parameter, intended to capture user identification information, becomes a vector for injecting arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. When the application processes this input and renders it back to the user interface without proper output encoding, the injected script executes within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates the dangerous combination of insufficient input validation and improper output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive human resources data and system functionalities. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential employee information, or manipulate HR processes through authenticated sessions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in the login page, which represents a critical entry point for the entire HR management system. This weakness enables threat actors to potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive employee records, payroll information, and other confidential HR data that the system typically protects. The vulnerability also facilitates advanced persistent threat scenarios where attackers can maintain long-term access through session hijacking or credential theft.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2082 should prioritize immediate patching of affected UNIT4 Prosoft HRMS installations to version 8.14.330.43 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, particularly in authentication components where user input is processed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML escaping techniques can significantly reduce the risk of XSS exploitation. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts within victim environments. Organizations should also establish robust security monitoring procedures to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used as part of broader attack campaigns targeting enterprise HR systems.