CVE-2017-16665 in Remoting SDK
Summary
by MITRE
RemObjects Remoting SDK 9 1.0.0.0 for Delphi is vulnerable to a reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attack via the service parameter to the /soap URI, triggering an invalid attempt to generate WSDL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16665 affects RemObjects Remoting SDK 9 1.0.0.0 for Delphi, presenting a significant security risk through reflected cross site scripting attacks. This flaw exists within the SOAP service implementation where the system fails to properly sanitize user input when processing the service parameter through the /soap URI endpoint. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets reflected back to users without adequate output encoding or validation, creating an avenue for executing arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the service parameter in the SOAP URI path. When the Remoting SDK attempts to generate WSDL (Web Services Description Language) documentation in response to an invalid service parameter, it fails to implement proper input sanitization measures. This creates a reflected XSS condition where malicious script code embedded in the service parameter gets executed when the malformed WSDL response is rendered in a user's browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the WSDL generation process which serves as a critical interface for web service discovery and interaction.
The operational impact of this reflected XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack requires user interaction through a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter such links in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the web service interface and compromises the security of applications built using the RemObjects SDK.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the SOAP service handling process. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in WSDL generation, undergo rigorous sanitization before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML encoding of dynamic content can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from RemObjects should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability represents a well-known weakness in the SDK's input handling mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203, focusing on exploiting web services for initial access or privilege escalation.