CVE-2015-5720 in Malware Information Sharing Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the template-creation feature in Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP) before 2.3.90 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving (1) add.ctp, (2) edit.ctp, and (3) ajaxification.js.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The CVE-2015-5720 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Malware Information Sharing Platform MISP version 2.3.89 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the template-creation feature within the platform, which serves as a core functionality for organizing and presenting threat intelligence data. The MISP platform operates as a collaborative platform for sharing cyber threat intelligence among organizations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise security operations centers and threat intelligence workflows. The vulnerability affects the web interface components responsible for template management, particularly impacting the add.ctp, edit.ctp, and ajaxification.js files that handle user input and template rendering processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the template creation functionality. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through the template creation forms, which are then executed in the browsers of other users who view these templates. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the web interface, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This particular weakness manifests in three distinct attack vectors corresponding to the three affected files mentioned in the CVE description, each representing different stages of template manipulation where user input is processed without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5720 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the MISP environment. Given that MISP systems typically contain highly sensitive threat intelligence data, including indicators of compromise, malware signatures, and organizational security details, successful exploitation could lead to significant data breaches and operational compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects the platform's collaborative features, meaning that any user with template creation privileges could become a vector for attack, potentially affecting multiple organizations sharing intelligence through the same platform. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how web application security flaws can be exploited to compromise user sessions and data integrity.
Organizations utilizing MISP systems should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to version 2.3.90 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these vulnerabilities. Security teams should implement comprehensive input validation measures and output encoding for all user-supplied content, particularly in template creation and modification interfaces. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all template-related components to identify and address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other parts of the application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in collaborative platforms and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls in threat intelligence sharing environments.