CVE-2017-11287 in Connect
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Adobe Connect 9.6.2 and earlier versions. A reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability exists that can result in information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2021
Adobe Connect versions 9.6.2 and earlier contain a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on this collaboration platform. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as reflected XSS, where malicious scripts are reflected from a web server back to a user's browser. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input that is subsequently reflected in web responses without adequate output encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through crafted URLs or parameters that are processed by the Adobe Connect application. When a victim clicks on a maliciously crafted link containing the XSS payload, the script executes in the victim's browser within the context of the vulnerable application. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but is instead reflected back to the user through the application's response, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially compromise entire user accounts. Organizations utilizing Adobe Connect for virtual meetings, training sessions, and collaborative work environments face significant risk exposure since attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive business communications, proprietary information, and user credentials. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Adobe Connect is used for internal collaboration, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Adobe Connect installations to versions 9.6.3 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while security awareness training for users can help prevent accidental clicks on malicious links. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques, particularly focusing on the T1212 and T1059.901 sub-techniques related to exploitation of web applications and script-based attacks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the organization's digital infrastructure.