CVE-2017-15573 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
In Redmine before 3.2.6 and 3.3.x before 3.3.3, XSS exists because markup is mishandled in wiki content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15573 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability affecting Redmine versions prior to 3.2.6 and 3.3.x versions before 3.3.3. This issue stems from improper handling of markup within wiki content, creating a persistent security weakness that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the wiki functionality of Redmine, which is a widely used project management and issue tracking system. The flaw enables unauthorized individuals to inject malicious code that can be executed by other users who view the compromised wiki pages, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users interact with shared documentation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate sanitization and processing of markup elements within Redmine's wiki rendering engine. When users create or edit wiki content, the system should properly escape or filter potentially dangerous markup sequences that could be interpreted as executable code by web browsers. However, the flawed implementation fails to adequately sanitize user inputs containing markup, particularly when certain formatting elements are combined with script tags or other malicious content. This improper handling creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can persist in the system and execute against other users. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and falls into the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code in user browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15573 extends beyond simple data theft or disruption, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through compromised user sessions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In project management environments, this could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive project information, manipulation of issue tracking data, or even complete compromise of the Redmine instance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because wiki content is often considered trusted and is frequently accessed by multiple team members, making the attack surface broad and potentially devastating to organizational security posture. The impact is amplified in environments where Redmine serves as a central hub for project documentation and collaboration, as the injected scripts can affect numerous users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15573 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Redmine installations to versions 3.2.6 or 3.3.3 and later. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any suspicious wiki content modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced to ensure all user-generated content undergoes strict filtering before rendering. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security assessments of web applications can help identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper markup handling in web applications and underscores the need for robust input validation mechanisms that prevent malicious code injection through seemingly benign user interface elements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to maintain defense-in-depth strategies against similar vulnerabilities.