CVE-2018-20370 in NetChat
Summary
by MITRE
SZ NetChat before 7.9 has XSS in the MyName input field of the Options module. Attackers are able to inject commands to compromise the enabled HTTP server web frontend.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20370 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the SZ NetChat software version 7.8 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the MyName input field of the Options module, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code. The vulnerability specifically affects the web frontend interface of the HTTP server component that is enabled within the application, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by remote threat actors.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of improper input validation and output encoding. When users interact with the MyName field in the Options module, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. This omission creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected web page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to compromise the entire web frontend of the enabled HTTP server. This compromise can lead to various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, redirection to malicious sites, and potentially full system compromise if the web server has elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since the malicious script executes automatically when other users browse to pages containing the injected content.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through web shells and command execution via web interfaces. The attacker's ability to inject commands through the HTTP server frontend creates a persistent threat vector that could be leveraged for further reconnaissance, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the configuration interface of a network communication tool, potentially allowing adversaries to modify application settings or gain unauthorized access to network communications.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to SZ NetChat version 7.9 or later, where the input validation has been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization measures including HTML escaping, content security policies, and regular security audits of web interfaces. Network segmentation and monitoring of HTTP server traffic can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration fields can become significant attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.