CVE-2018-16406 in EDMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Mayan EDMS before 3.0.2. The Cabinets app has XSS via a crafted cabinet label.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16406 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Mayan EDMS software version 3.0.1 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the Cabinets application component of the document management system, which is designed to organize and store digital documents within hierarchical cabinet structures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the cabinet label handling functionality, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the application's user interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. In the context of Mayan EDMS, the vulnerability manifests when a user creates or modifies a cabinet label containing malicious script code. When other users view this cabinet label within the application interface, the embedded scripts execute in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. The flaw represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user-supplied data flows directly into the application's output without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the document management environment. Attackers could craft malicious cabinet labels that, when viewed by administrators or other users, would execute scripts designed to steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized document operations. Given that document management systems often contain sensitive corporate or personal information, this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches and compliance violations. The attack vector requires minimal privileges to exploit since it targets the application's user interface rather than underlying system components, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users may have varying levels of access rights.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching to version 3.0.2 or later where the XSS flaw has been addressed. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities and implement strict input validation policies that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that users cannot create cabinet labels that might contain executable content, while also implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content rendered in the user interface. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to further limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application environment, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive data in enterprise document management systems.