CVE-2017-15051 in TeamPass
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TeamPass before 2.1.27.9 allow authenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) URL value of an item or (2) user log history. To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker must be first authenticated to the application. For the first one, the attacker has to simply inject XSS code within the URL field of a shared item. For the second one however, the attacker must prepare a payload within its profile, and then ask an administrator to modify its profile. From there, whenever the administrator accesses the log, it can be XSS'ed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15051 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in TeamPass versions prior to 2.1.27.9, demonstrating a significant weakness in web application security that affects authenticated users. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user-supplied data that gets stored and subsequently rendered back to other users, creating a persistent vector for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms. The first vector occurs when an authenticated attacker injects malicious JavaScript code into the URL field of a shared item within the application. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary scripts when other users view the item, as the stored URL value is directly rendered without proper sanitization. The second vector requires more sophisticated social engineering, as the attacker must first prepare malicious payloads within their own user profile and then persuade an administrator to modify their profile. When the administrator subsequently accesses the user log history, the stored malicious code executes in the administrator's browser context, creating a privilege escalation scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent footholds within the application environment. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that malicious code remains active until explicitly removed by administrators, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or modifying application behavior. This vulnerability particularly affects collaborative environments where administrators frequently access user logs and shared items, as it leverages the trust relationship between users and administrators to propagate malicious code. The requirement for authentication adds a layer of complexity to exploitation but does not prevent the attack, as it only requires an attacker to first gain legitimate access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before storage and ensuring that any data rendered back to users undergoes proper HTML encoding or context-appropriate escaping. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish regular security audits of stored data fields. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege in administrative functions, as the second attack vector demonstrates how administrative access can be leveraged to execute malicious code against other users. Patch management procedures should be prioritized to ensure timely updates to TeamPass installations, as this vulnerability was addressed in version 2.1.27.9. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators regarding the risks of modifying user profiles and accessing potentially compromised logs can help prevent successful exploitation of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would include techniques related to credential access through web application attacks and privilege escalation through administrative function manipulation.