CVE-2017-9783 in ProjectSend
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ProjectSend (formerly cFTP) before commit 6c3710430be26feb5371cb0377e5355d6f9a27ca allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Description field in a Site name updated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The CVE-2017-9783 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in ProjectSend, a file sharing and management system that was formerly known as cFTP. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to commit 6c3710430be26feb5371cb0377e5355d6f9a27ca, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for file distribution and management. The vulnerability specifically targets the Description field within the Site name update functionality, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the ProjectSend application. When administrators or users update site information through the Description field, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied content before rendering it in the web interface. This lack of proper input filtering creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that will execute whenever other users view the affected site information. The vulnerability operates as a classic reflected XSS attack, where malicious code is stored in the application's database and subsequently executed in the victim's browser when they access the compromised page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of authenticated users. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, modify content displayed to other users, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects the entire user base that interacts with the affected ProjectSend installation, making it particularly dangerous for organizations where multiple users maintain and access site information. Given that ProjectSend is designed for file sharing and management, the potential for attackers to manipulate shared content or gain unauthorized access to sensitive files increases significantly.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves updating to the patched version of ProjectSend that includes commit 6c3710430be26feb5371cb0377e5355d6f9a27ca, which contains proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, enabling strict output encoding for all user-supplied content, and conducting regular security audits of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities. From an operational security perspective, organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious activities related to site configuration updates. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure input handling as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application attacks.
The broader implications of CVE-2017-9783 highlight the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor functionality gaps in application code can create significant security risks that affect entire user communities. Organizations should prioritize regular security assessments and maintain up-to-date patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The incident also underscores the need for comprehensive security training for developers to understand proper sanitization techniques and the potential consequences of insufficient input validation in web applications.