CVE-2017-20191 in zm-admin-ajax
Summary
by MITRE • 03/31/2024
A vulnerability was found in Zimbra zm-admin-ajax up to 8.8.1. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function XFormItem.prototype.setError of the file WebRoot/js/ajax/dwt/xforms/XFormItem.js of the component Form Textbox Field Error Handler. The manipulation of the argument message leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 8.8.2 is able to address this issue. The identifier of the patch is bb240ce0c71c01caabaa43eed30c78ba8d7d3591. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-258621 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20191 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Zimbra collaboration platform, specifically affecting the zm-admin-ajax component through version 8.8.1. This security weakness resides in the XFormItem.prototype.setError function within the WebRoot/js/ajax/dwt/xforms/XFormItem.js file, which serves as part of the Form Textbox Field Error Handler component. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker can manipulate the message argument passed to this function, creating a pathway for malicious script execution in the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw's classification as problematic indicates significant security implications that warrant immediate attention and remediation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the message parameter within the XFormItem.prototype.setError function, which directly enables cross-site scripting attacks. This allows remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser context when processing error messages. The attack vector is fully remote, meaning no local access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page is required for exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the administrative interface of Zimbra, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The flaw's location within the error handling mechanism of the form textbox field component makes it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during normal user interactions with forms and error conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions within the Zimbra platform. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to email accounts, modify system configurations, or execute commands with administrative privileges. The vulnerability affects the entire Zimbra administrative interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise email infrastructure. Organizations using affected versions of Zimbra face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to email communications, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability center exclusively on upgrading to Zimbra version 8.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary patch identified by the commit hash bb240ce0c71c01caabaa43eed30c78ba8d7d3591. This upgrade addresses the root cause of the cross-site scripting vulnerability by properly sanitizing input parameters before processing them within the error handling functions. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this patch across all affected Zimbra installations, particularly those running administrative interfaces that are exposed to external networks. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious input patterns, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of the Zimbra environment, and ensuring proper network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, highlighting the need for comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms in web applications.