CVE-2018-12255 in InvoicePlane
Summary
by MITRE
An XSS issue was discovered in InvoicePlane 1.5.10 via the "Quote PDF Password(Optional)" field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12255 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within InvoicePlane version 1.5.10 that specifically affects the "Quote PDF Password(Optional)" input field. This issue demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's user interface. The vulnerability arises from the application's insufficient filtering of user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser context, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious script code through the quote PDF password field, which is then rendered without proper sanitization in the application's HTML output. This allows the malicious payload to execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further compromise of the application environment. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through malicious content delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access patterns within the application environment. When users with administrative privileges view quote documents containing malicious payloads, the attacker gains elevated privileges within the application context. This creates a potential attack surface that could be leveraged for data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or as a stepping stone for further attacks against the underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and confidentiality properties as outlined in the CIA triad, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive financial data and business information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12255 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper HTML encoding before rendering them in the browser context, particularly for fields that may contain special characters or scripting content. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution within the application environment. Additionally, upgrading to InvoicePlane version 1.5.11 or later resolves this vulnerability through proper input sanitization measures. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with particular attention to fields that handle user-supplied content in web forms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten Project recommendations for preventing XSS attacks in web applications.