CVE-2018-17302 in EspoCRM
Summary
by MITRE
Stored XSS exists in views/fields/wysiwyg.js in EspoCRM 5.3.6 via a /#Email/view saved draft message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17302 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within EspoCRM version 5.3.6 that specifically affects the wysiwyg.js file located in the views/fields/ directory. This issue manifests when users save draft messages within the email view interface, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the rich text editor component of the email drafting functionality. When users create or modify email drafts containing malicious script payloads, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before storing them in the database. The stored content is then retrieved and rendered without adequate security measures, allowing the malicious JavaScript to execute whenever other users view the saved draft messages. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability that operates outside the typical scope of reflected XSS attacks where the malicious payload is directly injected into the request.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to EspoCRM deployments as it enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The impact extends beyond simple script execution since the vulnerability affects the email view functionality which is frequently used by administrators and regular users alike. Attackers could leverage this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even perform actions on behalf of compromised users within the CRM system. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over extended periods without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content. Organizations using EspoCRM 5.3.6 should immediately implement mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policy enforcement. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of EspoCRM that properly validates and sanitizes user inputs before storage, while also implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all rendered content. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script injection patterns within email drafts to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend to data integrity and user trust within the CRM environment, as compromised users could have their email communications intercepted or modified. The persistence of stored XSS attacks makes this particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on email communication and document management within their CRM systems. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help identify potentially malicious content that might be introduced through email drafts and other user-generated content features.