CVE-2017-15569 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
In Redmine before 3.2.8, 3.3.x before 3.3.5, and 3.4.x before 3.4.3, XSS exists in app/helpers/queries_helper.rb via a multi-value field with a crafted value that is mishandled during rendering of an issue list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15569 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the Redmine project management platform that affects multiple version ranges including pre-3.2.8, pre-3.3.5, and pre-3.4.3 releases. This vulnerability specifically resides within the app/helpers/queries_helper.rb file and exploits a weakness in how the application processes multi-value fields during issue list rendering operations. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface through carefully crafted input values that are not properly sanitized or escaped before being displayed to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the queries helper component. When Redmine processes multi-value fields containing malicious content, the application fails to adequately escape special characters and script tags that could be interpreted by web browsers as executable code. This improper handling occurs during the rendering phase of issue lists where user-provided data flows directly into HTML output without sufficient sanitization. The vulnerability manifests when a user with appropriate permissions creates or modifies an issue with malicious input in multi-value fields, which then gets rendered in subsequent issue listings viewed by other users.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15569 extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers. This creates potential for session hijacking, data theft, and further exploitation within the Redmine environment. Attackers could craft malicious payloads that steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in collaborative environments where multiple users access the same Redmine instance, as a single compromised issue could affect numerous users who view the affected issue lists. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a classic example of improper output encoding that violates secure coding practices.
Organizations utilizing affected Redmine versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patch updates to versions 3.2.8, 3.3.5, and 3.4.3 respectively. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures at the application level to sanitize multi-value field inputs before storage and rendering. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing of user inputs and implementation of proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all dynamic content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers could leverage the XSS to harvest user credentials or manipulate the application's functionality. Network monitoring should also be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in issue creation and modification activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.