CVE-2016-15035 in RE-Chat
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2023
A vulnerability was found in Doc2k RE-Chat 1.0. It has been classified as problematic. This affects an unknown part of the file js_on_radio-emergency.de_/re_chat.js. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The patch is named bd17d497ddd3bab4ef9c6831c747c37cc016c570. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-238155.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15035 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within the Doc2k RE-Chat 1.0 web application. This security flaw resides in the js_on_radio-emergency.de_/re_chat.js file, which suggests the issue impacts the chat functionality of the application. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic and allows for remote exploitation, meaning attackers can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the target system. This remote exploit capability significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper input validation and output encoding within the javascript file, which permits malicious users to inject arbitrary script code into the chat interface. When legitimate users interact with the vulnerable chat functionality, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input within the radio emergency chat component, indicating that the application fails to properly sanitize or escape data before rendering it in the web interface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Doc2k RE-Chat 1.0, particularly those in emergency response scenarios where chat functionality is critical. The cross site scripting vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or manipulate the chat interface to spread malicious content. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where security controls may be limited.
Security professionals should prioritize applying the provided patch identified by the commit hash bd17d497ddd3bab4ef9c6831c747c37cc016c570 to remediate this vulnerability. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the affected javascript file. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as content security policies and web application firewalls to provide defense in depth. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications, and follows ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics including the use of malicious scripts in web interfaces.
The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched version to ensure that the fix does not introduce any regressions in the chat functionality. System administrators should also monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and verify that the patch has been successfully applied across all instances of the vulnerable application. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system, particularly in javascript libraries and client-side code that may be susceptible to similar injection attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing proper input validation mechanisms in all web application components.