CVE-2017-2174 in Empirical Project Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Empirical Project Monitor - eXtended all versions allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The CVE-2017-2174 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Empirical Project Monitor eXtended platform, a widely used project management and monitoring solution. This vulnerability exists in all versions of the software and poses significant security risks to organizations relying on the platform for their project tracking and resource management activities. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions, potentially compromising the entire web application and its underlying data infrastructure.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Empirical Project Monitor eXtended application. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's data storage or user interface components. These vectors likely involve parameters or input fields that do not properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, where improper validation of user input leads to execution of malicious code in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, and even complete application compromise. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal authentication cookies, modify project data, access sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Organizations using Empirical Project Monitor eXtended may experience unauthorized access to critical project information, disruption of business operations, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with remote workers or cloud-based deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2174 should focus on immediate patching of all affected versions of Empirical Project Monitor eXtended, implementing robust input validation mechanisms, and deploying proper output encoding for all user-supplied data. Organizations should also consider network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the XSS vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing new issues. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential attacks targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and implement defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within their infrastructure.