CVE-2015-3268 in OFBiz
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the DisplayEntityField.getDescription method in ModelFormField.java in Apache OFBiz before 12.04.06 and 13.07.x before 13.07.03 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the description attribute of a display-entity element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3268 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Apache OFBiz enterprise resource planning platform. This weakness exists in the DisplayEntityField.getDescription method located within the ModelFormField.java file, affecting versions prior to 12.04.06 and 13.07.03. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the description attribute of display-entity elements, which are commonly used to define how data fields should be presented in the user interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the rendering process where field descriptions are processed and displayed to end users, creating a persistent vector for malicious script injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Apache OFBiz processes display-entity elements that contain unvalidated user input in their description attributes. When the system renders these elements in web interfaces, the unsanitized input gets embedded directly into HTML output without proper encoding or escaping. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other harmful content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw operates at the presentation layer of the application, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any user who views pages containing compromised display-entity descriptions. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS attack vector, specifically representing a reflected XSS variant since the malicious content originates from user-controlled input within the application's configuration or data fields.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3268 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web interfaces, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Organizations running affected versions of Apache OFBiz face significant risks including unauthorized data access, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive business information is exposed. The vulnerability affects the platform's ability to maintain secure user sessions and protect against malicious actors who can manipulate the user interface to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Given that Apache OFBiz is widely used in enterprise environments for business process management, the potential for widespread impact increases when considering that multiple users may be affected through a single compromised field description.
Organizations should immediately implement the patch released by Apache Software Foundation for versions 12.04.06 and 13.07.03 to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official security update that includes proper input validation and output encoding for description attributes in display-entity elements. Additionally, administrators should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all display-entity configurations to identify and remediate any custom implementations that may be vulnerable. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while regular security assessments should be implemented to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of the OFBiz platform. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web-based attacks.