CVE-2018-12625 in Eventum
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Eventum 3.5.0. /htdocs/validate.php has XSS via the values parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12625 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Eventum version 3.5.0, specifically affecting the /htdocs/validate.php script. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within a validation endpoint that should logically process and verify input data without executing potentially malicious code. The affected parameter named "values" creates an attack vector where malicious actors can inject script code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when the application processes and displays this data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical security weakness in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly sanitize or escape the values parameter before incorporating it into HTML output. When Eventum processes the validate.php script with user-controllable input in the values parameter, the application fails to implement proper context-aware output encoding, creating an environment where attacker-supplied JavaScript code can be executed in the browser context of legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Eventum application. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions within the application as authenticated users. This weakness particularly affects users who have administrative privileges or access to sensitive issue tracking data, as the injected scripts could potentially access or modify confidential information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the application assumes that user input is safe without proper sanitization. The attack surface is broad as any user who can submit data through the validation endpoint could potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Eventum for issue tracking and project management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12625 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Eventum where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper sanitization of the values parameter. The solution involves implementing context-aware output encoding for all user-supplied data that is rendered in HTML contexts, following the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet recommendations. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix should include proper HTML entity encoding for the values parameter and ensure that any user-provided data is treated as untrusted until properly validated and sanitized. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate such weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.