CVE-2015-7385 in OX Guard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Open-Xchange OX Guard before 2.0.0-rev11 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the uid field in a PGP public key, which is not properly handled in "Guard PGP Settings."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-7385 represents a cross-site scripting weakness in Open-Xchange OX Guard versions prior to 2.0.0-rev11, specifically affecting the handling of PGP public key data within the Guard PGP Settings component. This security flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code by manipulating the uid field in PGP public keys, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data within the cryptographic key management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious PGP public key containing specially formatted uid field data that includes embedded scripts or HTML content. When the vulnerable OX Guard application processes this malformed key data within the Guard PGP Settings module, the system fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it in the web interface. This improper handling creates an XSS attack surface where malicious code executes in the context of other users' browsers who interact with the compromised PGP key data. The flaw specifically targets the uid field which serves as a user identifier within PGP key structures, making it a prime target for injection attacks due to its predictable usage patterns and expected data formats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interfaces, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. Users who view compromised PGP keys in the Guard PGP Settings interface become victims of the XSS attack, with their browsers executing malicious payloads that could redirect them to phishing sites, steal authentication tokens, or modify application behavior. The vulnerability affects the entire user base that relies on PGP key management within the Open-Xchange environment, creating a significant risk for organizations that depend on secure email communication and cryptographic key handling processes. This flaw particularly threatens environments where PGP key exchange is frequent and where users may not be aware of the security implications of viewing third-party public keys.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to OX Guard version 2.0.0-rev11 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious PGP key data patterns, and establish strict validation procedures for all imported cryptographic keys. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical ATT&CK technique for initial access through malicious code injection. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all PGP key management systems and implement proper input sanitization measures that escape special characters and validate data formats before processing user-supplied PGP key information. Regular security testing and monitoring of key management interfaces will help identify similar vulnerabilities and maintain robust defenses against similar injection attacks in the cryptographic communication infrastructure.