CVE-2016-2840 in Open-Xchange
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Open-Xchange Server 6 / OX AppSuite before 7.8.0-rev26. The "session" parameter for file-download requests can be used to inject script code that gets reflected through the subsequent status page. Malicious script code can be executed within a trusted domain's context. While no OX App Suite specific data can be manipulated, the vulnerability can be exploited without being authenticated and therefore used for social engineering attacks, stealing cookies or redirecting from trustworthy to malicious hosts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2840 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within Open-Xchange Server 6 and OX AppSuite versions prior to 7.8.0-rev26. This security weakness specifically affects the file-download functionality where the session parameter serves as an attack vector for malicious code injection. The flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic reflected xss vulnerability pattern that has been documented under CWE-79 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize user input before reflecting it in the HTTP response, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the session parameter of file-download requests. When the vulnerable application processes this request and subsequently displays the status page, the malicious script code gets reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization or encoding. This reflected execution context allows the injected code to run within the trusted domain's security context, effectively bypassing the same-origin policy that normally protects web applications. The attack requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the vulnerable system. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of spearphishing attachments or links to gain initial access and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution capabilities. While the attack cannot directly manipulate OX AppSuite specific data or database contents, it provides attackers with powerful capabilities for social engineering campaigns. The reflected script can be used to steal session cookies from authenticated users, redirect them to malicious domains, or display fraudulent content that appears to originate from a trusted source. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users trust the Open-Xchange infrastructure. The ability to perform cookie theft means attackers could potentially hijack user sessions and impersonate legitimate users within the application. Additionally, the reflected nature of the attack allows for sophisticated phishing campaigns where victims might not immediately recognize they are being targeted by malicious code. The vulnerability's accessibility without authentication makes it a prime candidate for automated exploitation tools and large-scale attacks. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement security patches to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability provides a direct path for attackers to compromise user sessions and conduct various forms of malicious activity within the trusted domain context.