CVE-2018-0652 in GROWI
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in GROWI v.3.1.11 and earlier allows remote authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the UserGroup Management section of admin page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0652 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within GROWI version 3.1.11 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the UserGroup Management functionality of the administrative interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative section of the platform, where user group management operations are performed, making it particularly dangerous as it targets privileged access points within the application's security architecture.
This XSS vulnerability operates through the injection of malicious payloads into user group management parameters that are subsequently rendered without proper sanitization or encoding. The flaw allows remote authenticated attackers to exploit the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms, enabling them to craft malicious scripts that execute within the browser of legitimate users who access the affected administrative functions. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side injection point means that the malicious code can be stored and subsequently executed whenever authorized users access the compromised administrative sections, creating a persistent threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions within the administrative interface, and potentially gain access to sensitive user data or system configurations. The authenticated nature of the attack requires attackers to first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to undermine the integrity of the administrative functions and compromise the overall security posture of the GROWI platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets administrative controls that typically have elevated privileges and access to critical system functions.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-site Scripting flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique within the Credential Access and Persistence domains, where attackers can use XSS vulnerabilities to maintain access and escalate privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear weakness in input sanitization and output encoding practices, which are fundamental security controls recommended by OWASP and other industry standards. Organizations using affected GROWI versions should immediately implement security patches and consider additional mitigations such as web application firewalls and enhanced input validation mechanisms to prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of patched versions of GROWI, implementation of proper input validation and output encoding for all administrative interfaces, and consideration of additional security layers such as Content Security Policies to prevent script execution. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input handling and sanitization processes are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing administrative interfaces and implementing robust sanitization controls for all user-provided data within web applications.