CVE-2017-20026 in HumHub
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability has been found in HumHub up to 1.0.1 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting (Reflected). The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 1.1.1 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20026 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw in HumHub versions up to 1.0.1, specifically classified as a reflected XSS vulnerability under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79. This weakness occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject client-side scripts. The vulnerability affects an unknown specific functionality within the HumHub platform, indicating that the flaw may be present across multiple components or modules rather than being isolated to a single function. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning that threat actors can leverage this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or direct user interaction beyond visiting a maliciously crafted URL.
The technical exploitation of this reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is processed and returned in HTTP responses without adequate output encoding or validation. When a victim visits a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload, the script executes in the context of their browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The public disclosure of this exploit significantly increases the risk profile, as it provides adversaries with documented methods to compromise vulnerable systems. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces where reflected payloads can be executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the affected HumHub environment. Attackers could leverage the XSS flaw to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive information, modify content, or even gain administrative privileges depending on the system architecture and user permissions. Organizations running vulnerable versions of HumHub face significant security risks, particularly in enterprise environments where collaboration platforms serve as central communication hubs. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but could potentially compromise entire organizational data repositories and communication channels. The recommended remediation of upgrading to version 1.1.1 addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious scripts from being executed in user contexts.
Security practitioners should prioritize this vulnerability assessment and remediation, particularly in environments where HumHub serves as a critical collaboration platform. The upgrade process should include thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and customizations. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and content security policies as additional defensive measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar issues across their application portfolio, as reflected XSS vulnerabilities often occur in web applications that fail to properly sanitize user inputs across multiple request handling mechanisms. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and regular security assessments in collaborative software platforms.