CVE-2017-13668 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE
OX Software GmbH OX App Suite 7.8.4 and earlier is affected by: Cross Site Scripting (XSS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-13668 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within OX App Suite version 7.8.4 and earlier, classified under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This flaw exists in the web application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input parameters that are processed and displayed within the application's user interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The affected software components likely include the application's web interface elements, form processing mechanisms, and user input handling routines that fail to properly escape or validate data before rendering.
The operational impact of this XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute malicious scripts in the browsers of authenticated users. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information such as cookies or session tokens, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to create malicious links or attachments that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute malicious payloads in their browser context. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the affected OX App Suite versions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited against any authenticated user within the system.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases, where XSS represents a common technique for establishing footholds within web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires user interaction through malicious links or content, making social engineering a critical factor in its deployment. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms as recommended in OWASP's secure coding practices, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The mitigation strategy should include immediate patching to the latest available version of OX App Suite, implementing proper content security policies, and establishing robust input validation controls that prevent malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, while user education regarding suspicious links and content remains an essential defensive measure against exploitation attempts.