CVE-2017-11727 in Manage
Summary
by MITRE
services/system_io/actionprocessor/Contact.rails in ConnectWise Manage 2017.5 allows arbitrary client-side JavaScript code execution (involving a ContactCommon field) on victims who click on a crafted link, aka XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11727 resides within the ConnectWise Manage 2017.5 software platform, specifically in the services/system_io/actionprocessor/Contact.rails component. This flaw manifests as a client-side cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the ContactCommon field of the system. The vulnerability occurs when victims click on a crafted link that contains the malicious payload, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This represents a significant security weakness in the web application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, as the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker crafting a malicious URL or link that includes JavaScript code within the ContactCommon field parameter. When a victim clicks this link, the malicious code executes in their browser session, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability specifically targets the ContactCommon field, which suggests that this particular data field lacks proper sanitization or encoding before being rendered in the web interface. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, representing a classic injection vulnerability where untrusted data flows into the application's web interface without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to phishing sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise user accounts and potentially gain access to sensitive customer data within the ConnectWise Manage system. The vulnerability affects the web-based interface of the software, making it accessible to attackers who can craft malicious links through various communication channels including email, messaging platforms, or compromised websites. This type of vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations using ConnectWise Manage, as it can lead to unauthorized access to customer information and potential data breaches that violate privacy regulations and industry compliance requirements.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching of the ConnectWise Manage software to the latest version that addresses this specific XSS flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious link activity can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious links, and also relates to T1071 which covers application layer protocol usage. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional protection against similar cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify other potential injection points within the application that may require similar remediation efforts.