CVE-2016-3089 in OpenMeetings
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SWF panel in Apache OpenMeetings before 3.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the swf parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The CVE-2016-3089 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Apache OpenMeetings versions prior to 3.1.2, specifically affecting the SWF panel component. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user-supplied input through the swf parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session. The SWF panel functionality in Apache OpenMeetings is designed to display flash-based content, but the insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms allowed attackers to inject malicious payloads that would be executed when the vulnerable component rendered the user-supplied parameters.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The technical implementation of this weakness involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. When the swf parameter is processed by the SWF panel, the application does not adequately validate or encode the input, allowing malicious scripts to be embedded directly into the rendered HTML output. This creates a persistent XSS vector where attackers can inject JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, cookie theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser environment, potentially leading to complete account compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive meeting data, and the ability to manipulate the OpenMeetings application interface. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the SWF panel functionality, including administrators and regular participants, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users share meeting spaces. Given that OpenMeetings is designed for video conferencing and collaborative meetings, the attack surface is significant, as users frequently engage with the application in shared or public network environments where such attacks could be easily orchestrated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3089 primarily involve upgrading to Apache OpenMeetings version 3.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability in the SWF panel component. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those related to file paths and content identifiers. The security community recommends implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, administrators should conduct regular security assessments of web applications and implement proper parameter sanitization techniques to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, specifically targeting web-based scripting environments where input validation failures create opportunities for malicious code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this and similar vulnerabilities.