CVE-2018-19301 in Teleport
Summary
by MITRE
tp4a TELEPORT 3.1.0 allows XSS via the login page because a crafted username is mishandled when an administrator later views the system log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19301 affects tp4a TELEPORT version 3.1.0, a remote access and management solution that enables administrators to securely connect to systems across networks. This security flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that specifically targets the application's login page functionality and subsequent system log viewing capabilities. The issue stems from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's authentication handling process, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious username containing cross-site scripting payloads and registers it within the system. During the authentication process, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode this crafted input before storing it in the system logs. When system administrators subsequently view these logs, the malicious script code gets executed within their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. This represents a classic persistent XSS vulnerability where the malicious input is stored server-side and then reflected back to users without proper sanitization, making it particularly dangerous as it affects all administrators who view the compromised log entries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session fixation, credential harvesting, and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to administrative accounts, potentially compromising entire network infrastructures managed by the TELEPORT application. The vulnerability's persistence through system logs means that even after the initial attack, the malicious payload remains active and can affect multiple users who access the compromised log data. This makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where system logs are regularly monitored by security personnel and administrators who may inadvertently execute malicious code while investigating system events.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts used for persistence and privilege escalation through compromised administrative credentials. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls at the application level, ensuring all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before storage and display. Additionally, implementing proper access controls for system log viewing and regular security audits of authentication mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.