CVE-2015-8685 in ERP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Dolibarr ERP/CRM 3.8.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) external calendar url or (2) the bank name field in the "import external calendar" page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8685 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Dolibarr ERP/CRM versions 3.8.3 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting two distinct attack vectors that enable remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of victim sessions. The affected components include the external calendar url parameter and the bank name field within the import external calendar functionality, both of which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding practices within the Dolibarr application framework. When users provide data through the external calendar url field or bank name field, the application does not sufficiently validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This failure creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users interact with the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8685 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the target environment. Successful exploitation could allow threat actors to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, inject phishing content, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or privilege escalation within the application context. The vulnerability affects organizations using Dolibarr for business process automation, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise business-critical systems. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, while ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique under the T1190 attack pattern.
Organizations utilizing affected Dolibarr versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies including input validation, output encoding, and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Dolibarr that addresses these vulnerabilities through proper input validation mechanisms and enhanced output encoding. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all instances of the vulnerable software have been properly updated. The remediation process should also include user education regarding safe browsing practices and the importance of keeping enterprise applications updated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.