CVE-2017-18023 in Office Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Office Tracker 11.2.5 has XSS via the logincount parameter to the /otweb/OTPClientLogin URI.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2024
Office Tracker 11.2.5 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the logincount parameter of the /otweb/OTPClientLogin URI that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a reflected XSS flaw where user input is directly incorporated into the web response without proper sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to validate or escape the logincount parameter before returning it in the HTTP response, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing script code in the logincount parameter and deliver it through phishing campaigns or social engineering tactics. When a victim clicks the malicious link, the script executes in their browser within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, capture user credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism of Office Tracker, compromising the integrity of the login process and potentially providing unauthorized access to the system.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for spearphishing with malicious attachments and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The attack chain typically involves initial access through malicious links, followed by session manipulation and privilege escalation. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap in the web application's input validation and output encoding processes. Organizations using Office Tracker 11.2.5 should immediately implement input validation measures, including proper parameter sanitization and output encoding of user-supplied data. The recommended mitigation includes implementing strict input validation on the logincount parameter, applying proper HTML encoding to all user-controllable outputs, and implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses this XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released security updates to resolve this specific flaw in the authentication handling mechanism.