CVE-2015-3883 in qdPM
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in qdPM 8.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) search[keywords] parameter to index.php/users page; the (2) "Name of application" on index.php/configuration; (3) a new project name on index.php/projects; (4) the task name on index.php/tasks; (5) ticket name on index.php/tickets; (6) discussion name on index.php/discussions; (7) report name on index.php/projectReports; or (8) event name on index.php/scheduler/personal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-3883 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in qdPM version 8.3, a web-based project management application that affects multiple input vectors across the application's core functionality. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically encompassing multiple attack surfaces that allow remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's user interface components, creating persistent XSS opportunities across various project management modules.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple pathways that target different input fields within the application's user interface. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through the search[keywords] parameter in the users page, the application name configuration field, project name fields, task name inputs, ticket name entries, discussion name fields, report name parameters, and event name fields within the scheduler module. Each of these vectors represents a distinct entry point where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered back to users, creating opportunities for persistent or reflected cross-site scripting attacks that can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it allows attackers to establish persistent sessions, steal user credentials, manipulate application data, and potentially escalate privileges within the project management environment. The widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple modules means that successful exploitation could compromise various aspects of the application's functionality, from user management to task tracking and scheduling. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that would execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive project information, user data, and business-critical project artifacts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3883 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed, implementing strict validation rules that reject or escape potentially malicious content. The recommended approach includes applying context-specific output encoding for all dynamic content, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers, and upgrading to a patched version of qdPM that addresses these vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following ATT&CK framework recommendations for web application security testing and remediation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent XSS threats across web applications.