CVE-2017-15869 in LiveZilla
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in knowledgebase.php in LiveZilla before 7.0.8.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the search-for parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15869 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the LiveZilla knowledgebase.php component affecting versions prior to 7.0.8.9. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user input through the search-for parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML elements and submits them through the search-for parameter in the knowledgebase.php endpoint. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization or encoding, the malicious code gets embedded into the response and subsequently executed by unsuspecting users who view the affected search results. This type of attack leverages the trust relationship between the web application and its users, allowing attackers to bypass normal security restrictions and potentially escalate privileges or steal sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks according to industry best practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15869 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web interfaces, redirect users to malicious sites, or harvest sensitive cookies and authentication tokens. In a LiveZilla environment, where the knowledgebase functionality serves as a central repository for user documentation and support information, this vulnerability could be exploited to inject malicious content that appears legitimate to users. Attackers could leverage this weakness to create false support articles containing phishing links, or to inject malicious code that targets specific user groups within the organization. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly in web-based contexts where attackers can manipulate application behavior through input injection.
Organizations utilizing LiveZilla versions prior to 7.0.8.9 should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly in search functionality where user input is directly incorporated into web responses. Security measures should incorporate Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution sources and implement proper HTML escaping for dynamic content. Additionally, regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those recommended by OWASP for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, ensuring that all user input is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application interface.