CVE-2017-15911 in Openfire Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Admin Console in Ignite Realtime Openfire Server before 4.1.7 allows arbitrary client-side JavaScript code execution on victims who click a crafted setup/setup-host-settings.jsp?domain= link, aka XSS. Session ID and data theft may follow as well as the possibility of bypassing CSRF protections, injection of iframes to establish communication channels, etc. The vulnerability is present after login into the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The CVE-2017-15911 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Ignite Realtime Openfire Server administration console, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.1.7. This vulnerability exists in the setup-host-settings.jsp component and demonstrates how client-side code execution can be exploited through crafted URL parameters. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only a victim to click a malicious link containing the vulnerable domain parameter, making it highly accessible to attackers who can leverage social engineering techniques to compromise user sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the setup/setup-host-settings.jsp endpoint where the domain parameter is not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser context. This represents a classic persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited in the context of an authenticated session, significantly amplifying the potential impact compared to unauthenticated attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL with a specially formatted domain parameter that gets reflected in the setup-host-settings.jsp page without proper input validation or output encoding. When a victim with valid administrative credentials clicks this link, the malicious JavaScript code executes in their browser session, potentially stealing session cookies, credentials, or other sensitive data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to bypass existing CSRF protections by injecting malicious code that can manipulate the application's behavior. Additionally, the attacker can inject iframe elements to establish communication channels with external servers, potentially creating covert data exfiltration routes or enabling more sophisticated attack vectors. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is embedded into web pages without proper validation or encoding, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK framework as T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, demonstrating how attackers can leverage browser-based scripting capabilities to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15911 is severe for organizations relying on Openfire servers, as successful exploitation can lead to complete administrative compromise of the messaging platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session identifiers and credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts, chat logs, and other sensitive communication data stored within the Openfire server. The ability to bypass CSRF protections means that attackers can perform administrative actions on behalf of legitimate users without their knowledge, including modifying server settings, adding new users, or configuring malicious features. The injection of iframes can also enable attackers to establish persistent communication channels, allowing for command and control operations or data exfiltration through covert methods. Organizations using older versions of Openfire are particularly vulnerable as the patching process requires careful consideration of potential service disruptions and the need to validate the updated configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where privileged access can be gained through simple user interaction. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of implementing comprehensive security measures including regular patch management, web application firewalls, and security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against authenticated web applications.