CVE-2017-7871 in tdm
Summary
by MITRE
trollepierre/tdm before 2017-04-13 is vulnerable to a reflected XSS in tdm-master/webhook.php (challenge parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7871 affects the trollepierre/tdm software version prior to 2017-04-13, specifically targeting the webhook.php script within the tdm-master directory. This issue represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being returned to users in the web application's response. The vulnerability manifests through the challenge parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the webhook.php script. When the challenge parameter is processed, the application fails to sanitize or escape special characters in the user-provided input before incorporating it into the HTTP response. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing crafted JavaScript payloads that, when executed by victim browsers, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of the victim. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the web application's response, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered via phishing emails, malicious links, or compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to affected systems through session hijacking or credential theft. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability falls under the category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for "Command and Control" through web application exploitation, where adversaries can use reflected XSS to establish a foothold for further attacks. Organizations using the affected trollepierre/tdm software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential privilege escalation, and compromise of user sessions, particularly if the application handles authentication tokens or sensitive operational information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs before they are processed or returned in web responses, utilizing context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for output contexts. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be established to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough code review and testing of all input handling mechanisms, particularly focusing on parameters that are directly reflected in HTTP responses. Security awareness training for developers regarding secure coding practices and the importance of input validation can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future code developments.