CVE-2018-12652 in Adrenalin
Summary
by MITRE
A Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerability was discovered in Adrenalin 5.4 HRMS Software. The user supplied input containing JavaScript is echoed back in JavaScript code in an HTML response via the LeaveEmployeeSearch.aspx prntFrmName or prntDDLCntrlName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
This reflected cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the Adrenalin 5.4 HRMS software platform, specifically in the LeaveEmployeeSearch.aspx page where user-supplied input is improperly handled. The flaw manifests when the prntFrmName or prntDDLCntrlName parameters receive JavaScript code that gets echoed back into the HTML response within JavaScript code context. This creates a classic reflected XSS attack vector where malicious scripts can be injected through crafted URLs and executed in the victim's browser. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically targeting the reflection of user input without proper sanitization. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that, when executed by a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized operations within the application context. The reflected nature means the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather reflected off the web application in response to a crafted request. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the application fails to properly encode or escape user input before rendering it in the HTML output, particularly within JavaScript contexts where special characters like quotes, angle brackets, and backslashes need careful handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive HR data, or perform unauthorized actions within the HR management system. Since this affects an HRMS platform, the potential exposure includes employee personal information, payroll data, leave records, and other sensitive human resources information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or use it as a stepping stone for further attacks within the organization's network. The reflected nature makes this particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through phishing emails or compromised links that appear legitimate to users.
Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in dynamic JavaScript contexts. The application should employ context-aware escaping techniques that ensure user input is properly encoded based on the output context, whether it's HTML, JavaScript, or URL contexts. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional defense-in-depth against XSS attacks by restricting script execution. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parameters and pages. The fix should involve sanitizing input parameters prntFrmName and prntDDLCntrlName by implementing proper HTML and JavaScript encoding before echoing them back in the response, ensuring that any potentially malicious script content is neutralized rather than executed.