CVE-2016-7891 in RoboHelp
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe RoboHelp version 2015.0.3 and earlier, RoboHelp 11 and earlier have an input validation issue that could be used in cross-site scripting attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
Adobe RoboHelp versions 2015.0.3 and earlier including RoboHelp 11 and earlier contain a critical input validation vulnerability that exposes users to cross-site scripting attacks. This flaw resides in the software's handling of user-supplied input within its web-based interface components, specifically affecting the way the application processes and renders content that originates from external sources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that are processed by the application's scripting engine, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject harmful javascript code through crafted input fields or parameters. When users interact with malformed content generated by this vulnerability, the injected scripts execute within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of the user. The attack vector typically involves an attacker crafting malicious input that gets stored or processed by the application and subsequently rendered to other users without proper validation or encoding. This issue directly maps to CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly handled within a web application. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including file upload functionality, comment sections, or any user-controllable input field within the RoboHelp environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1566 - Phishing, specifically targeting the credential access and execution phases where attackers leverage XSS to gain unauthorized access to user sessions or execute malicious commands. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as attackers can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the RoboHelp application context. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, session hijacking, and potential lateral movement within their network environments where RoboHelp is deployed. The vulnerability affects both the desktop and web-based components of the software, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users interact with the same documentation systems. The flaw exists in the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input before rendering it within web contexts, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass standard security controls through carefully crafted input sequences that are not properly filtered or encoded by the application. When users view content generated by the vulnerable software, the malicious input gets executed in the browser context without proper security boundaries. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions and environments where the vulnerable software is deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing the malicious content, making it particularly dangerous in automated or widespread deployment scenarios. Security researchers have identified that the issue stems from the application's reliance on insecure input handling patterns where user data is directly incorporated into dynamic content generation without proper sanitization. The lack of proper input validation creates a chain reaction where any input field that accepts user data becomes a potential attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with the broader category of insecure data handling practices that are commonly found in legacy applications and can be exploited using standard web exploitation techniques. The vulnerability can be leveraged as part of multi-stage attacks where attackers first establish a foothold through XSS before escalating privileges or accessing additional systems within the network. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as content security policies and web application firewalls to mitigate the risk of exploitation while applying official patches from Adobe.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Adobe security patches that address the input validation flaws in RoboHelp versions 2015.0.3 and earlier. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of RoboHelp that implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent malicious code injection. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of vulnerable RoboHelp installations within their environment and ensure all users are transitioned to secure versions. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly focusing on unusual network traffic patterns or suspicious file uploads that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where users have administrative privileges or access to sensitive documentation systems, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining overall security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that all components of the documentation and help desk systems remain secure against evolving threats. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that functionality remains intact while addressing the identified security gaps. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for session hijacking, organizations should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for possible exploitation attempts. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how legacy software can harbor security flaws that persist across multiple versions without proper patch management or security updates.