CVE-2016-7851 in Connect
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Connect version 9.5.6 and earlier does not adequately validate input in the events registration module. This vulnerability could be exploited in cross-site scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
Adobe Connect version 9.5.6 and earlier contains a critical input validation flaw in its events registration module that creates a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and represents a classic insecure input handling issue where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered within the application's web interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of event registration parameters that are subsequently reflected back to users without proper encoding or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within the events registration form fields. When the vulnerable application processes this input and displays it back to other users who view the event registration data, the embedded malicious scripts execute within the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be leveraged for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious domains. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the registration module, which likely handles user-submitted data that gets displayed in various contexts including administrative interfaces and public event listings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it compromises the integrity of the entire Adobe Connect platform. Attackers can exploit this flaw to establish persistent backdoors within the application, manipulate event data, or gain unauthorized access to user sessions. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 9.5.6, making it a widespread issue across numerous deployments that may not have implemented proper patch management protocols. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Adobe Connect for virtual meetings, training sessions, and collaborative environments where user data integrity is paramount.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability including immediate patching of affected systems to Adobe Connect version 9.5.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns in registration endpoints. Input sanitization should be implemented at multiple levels including client-side validation, server-side sanitization, and database-level encoding to prevent malicious scripts from being stored or executed. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous registration patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, making it a critical concern for both defensive and offensive security teams. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar input validation flaws do not exist in other application components or third-party integrations that might interact with the vulnerable registration module.