CVE-2017-7998 in Gespage
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Gespage before 7.4.9 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) printer name when adding a printer in the admin panel or (2) username parameter to webapp/users/user_reg.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The CVE-2017-7998 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Gespage software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 7.4.9. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution risks through malicious script injection attacks that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the web application's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple pathways for threat actors to exploit the system.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Gespage web application's user interface components. When administrators add printers through the admin panel, the system fails to properly sanitize the printer name parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code. Similarly, the username parameter in the webapp/users/user_reg.jsp endpoint lacks proper validation mechanisms, creating another injection point for cross-site scripting attacks. These vulnerabilities directly align with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically in the context of cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Remote attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, allowing them to perform actions such as modifying user accounts, accessing restricted administrative panels, or even executing commands on the underlying system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Gespage for print management services, as it undermines the security of their entire print infrastructure and user authentication systems.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-7998 should immediately implement the patch released in Gespage version 7.4.9, which addresses both identified injection points through proper input sanitization and output encoding. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall with XSS detection capabilities can provide additional protection layers while the patch is being deployed. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly around the administrative interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and input validation practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, which are commonly employed in exploiting such web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering or other attack vectors.