CVE-2015-7679 in MOVEit Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Ipswitch MOVEit Mobile before 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string to mobile/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7679 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Ipswitch MOVEit Mobile versions prior to 1.2.2. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of query string parameters within the mobile/ directory, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected users' browsers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a common weakness in web application security. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any attacker who can influence the query string parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the MOVEit Mobile application processes incoming HTTP requests containing malicious payloads within the query string of URLs directed to the mobile/ endpoint. When the application fails to adequately validate or escape special characters in user input, it directly incorporates this untrusted data into HTML output without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users who access the vulnerable application. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental web application security principles, particularly those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE hierarchy that categorizes XSS as a critical application security weakness. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform persistent XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and exfiltrate sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing Ipswitch MOVEit Mobile, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers to compromise user accounts and access sensitive data. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or application infrastructure. Users who access the mobile application may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that can capture their session cookies, redirect them to phishing sites, or perform actions on their behalf. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where MOVEit Mobile might be used for accessing corporate resources or sensitive information. The attack can be executed through various means including phishing emails, compromised websites, or direct URL manipulation, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network security measures alone. Organizations using affected versions of MOVEit Mobile should be particularly concerned about potential data breaches and unauthorized access to their mobile application resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7679 should prioritize immediate remediation through the deployment of the official patch released by Ipswitch for MOVEit Mobile version 1.2.2. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications within their infrastructure. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads before they reach the application servers. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that can be activated immediately upon detection of potential XSS exploitation attempts.