CVE-2017-1000425 in Liferay Portal CE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the /html/portal/flash.jsp page in Liferay Portal CE 7.0 GA4 and older allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a javascript: URI in the "movie" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000425 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Liferay Portal CE 7.0 GA4 and earlier versions. This weakness resides in the /html/portal/flash.jsp component which fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically when processing the "movie" parameter. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the security of the entire portal environment. The flaw occurs because the application does not adequately validate or escape the javascript: URI scheme that can be passed through the movie parameter, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious payloads.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack vector leverages the fact that the flash.jsp page accepts unvalidated input from the movie parameter and incorporates it directly into the generated HTML output without appropriate sanitization measures. The javascript: URI scheme provides a direct method for executing arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, making this particularly dangerous as it can be used to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability exists in the web application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, failing to implement proper security controls that would prevent such injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be exploited to perform sophisticated attacks within the Liferay Portal environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to hijack user sessions, manipulate portal functionality, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including Liferay Portal CE 7.0 GA4, representing a significant risk to organizations relying on these older versions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without any local access requirements, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where portal systems serve as central points of access for numerous users. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, social engineering, or by simply directing users to maliciously crafted URLs that contain the vulnerable parameter.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Liferay Portal CE 7.1 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls to prevent the injection of malicious content. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper parameter validation, and the use of secure coding practices that prevent direct insertion of user-provided data into HTML output. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious javascript: URI patterns in request parameters. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls throughout the application lifecycle, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques that target web application vulnerabilities and input validation flaws. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their portal environments to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all components are properly patched and secured against known attack patterns.