CVE-2018-10231 in TOPdesk
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in TOPdesk before 8.05.017 (June 2018 version) and before 5.7.SR9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10231 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within TOPdesk software versions prior to 8.05.017 and 5.7.SR9, released in June 2018. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected user sessions. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied input parameters, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that gets executed by victim browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the TOPdesk web interface. When users interact with the application through web forms, URL parameters, or other input mechanisms, the system does not adequately filter or escape potentially malicious content. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted requests containing script tags or other HTML elements that are subsequently rendered in the user's browser session. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even via email links that redirect users to malicious pages within the TOPdesk environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute scripts in the context of any authenticated user, potentially gaining access to sensitive information, modifying system configurations, or performing actions on behalf of legitimate users. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on web-based interfaces for their IT service management operations. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which classifies the weakness as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')".
Organizations utilizing TOPdesk software are strongly advised to implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to version 8.05.017 or 5.7.SR9, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, output encoding, and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also consider monitoring web application logs for suspicious activities and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the 'Initial Access' phase with techniques such as 'Web Application Attack' and 'Spearphishing via Service' as potential exploitation methods, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security training for administrators to prevent successful exploitation attempts.