CVE-2017-1000164 in Tine
Summary
by MITRE
Tine 2.0 version 2017.02.4 is vulnerable to XSS in the Addressbook resulting code execution and privilege escalation
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000164 affects Tine 2.0 version 2017.02.4 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Addressbook component that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution and privilege escalation. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user input within the addressbook functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection as the vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the target system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Tine 2.0 serves as a collaborative platform for business operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within addressbook fields that are subsequently rendered to other users without proper sanitization. This unfiltered user input processing creates an environment where JavaScript code can be executed in the context of authenticated sessions, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions with the privileges of the affected user. The attack vector typically involves social engineering to convince users to view maliciously crafted contact entries or to interact with compromised addressbook data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in session hijacking, data exfiltration, and further lateral movement within the network, as the compromised user's privileges may include access to sensitive organizational data and system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1000164 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments relying on Tine 2.0 for collaborative work. Organizations using this platform face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and system compromise that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation means that even if an attacker initially gains access through a low-privilege account, they may be able to elevate their privileges to administrative levels, significantly expanding their attack surface. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and privileges for unauthorized access, where the vulnerability enables attackers to gain higher-level access through compromised user sessions. The attack could potentially lead to complete system compromise, especially in environments where Tine 2.0 integrates with other business applications or serves as a central hub for employee communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000164 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Tine 2.0 version to the latest secure release that addresses the XSS vulnerability in the Addressbook component. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks, ensuring all user-provided data is properly sanitized before processing or display. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including unusual data access patterns or unauthorized privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all web applications within their environment to identify similar XSS vulnerabilities that may exist in other systems, as the underlying architectural flaws that enable this vulnerability are common across many web applications. Additionally, regular security awareness training for users can help prevent successful social engineering attacks that may be necessary to deliver malicious payloads through the vulnerable addressbook functionality, with particular emphasis on recognizing suspicious contact entries or unexpected behavior when interacting with addressbook data.