CVE-2017-5241 in Secure File Transfer
Summary
by MITRE
Biscom Secure File Transfer version 5.1.1015 (and possibly prior) is vulnerable to post-authentication persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) in the "Name" and "Description" fields of a Workspace, as well as the "Description" field of a File Details pane of a file stored in a Workspace. This issue has been resolved in version 5.1.1025.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5241 affects Biscom Secure File Transfer version 5.1.1015 and potentially earlier releases, representing a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of user interactions within the application's web interface. This flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data within specific input fields, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject persistent cross-site scripting payloads that can affect legitimate users of the platform. The vulnerability specifically targets the Name and Description fields of Workspaces, as well as the Description field within File Details panes, making it particularly concerning for environments where users frequently interact with workspace metadata and file attributes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Biscom Secure File Transfer application's web interface. When users enter data into the affected fields, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it back to the user interface, allowing malicious scripts to be stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. This persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once malicious code is injected into the system, it will continue to execute whenever affected users view the compromised workspace or file details, creating a long-term threat vector that can persist even after the initial injection point.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. Given that the vulnerability operates post-authentication, it requires users to be logged into the system to exploit, but once compromised, attackers can leverage the persistent nature of the XSS to gain unauthorized access to sensitive workspace information, manipulate file metadata, or potentially escalate privileges within the application. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where secure file transfer platforms are used for handling confidential business data, intellectual property, and regulated information.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and output encoding as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script injection attacks, and T1566, which addresses social engineering through malicious file delivery. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to version 5.1.1025 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities in the affected fields. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper input sanitization procedures can help mitigate similar risks in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats that can compromise user sessions and sensitive data within secure file transfer environments.