CVE-2018-7681 in Business Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager versions prior to 11.4 allows JavaScript to be embedded in URLs placed in "Favorites" folder. If the user has certain administrative privileges then this vulnerability can impact other users in the system.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7681 affects Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager versions before 11.4, presenting a significant security risk through improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. This flaw exists within the application's handling of user-generated content, specifically when processing URLs stored in the Favorites folder functionality. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize user input before rendering it in web contexts, creating an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be injected and subsequently executed within the browser context of other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's insufficient validation of URL parameters and their subsequent rendering in web interfaces. When users create favorites with URLs containing JavaScript code, the system does not properly escape or filter these inputs before displaying them to other users who access the favorites folder. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the requirement for specific administrative privileges, suggesting that the attack vector may involve privilege escalation or targeted manipulation of administrative user sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to manipulate other users' sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the application's context. When administrative users access favorites containing malicious JavaScript, the code executes with their elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to access restricted functionalities or data. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1548.001 for privilege escalation through malicious scripts. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where compromised administrative accounts can serve as entry points for broader system infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7681 must focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data flow. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Micro Focus Business Manager version 11.4 or later, which includes proper sanitization of URL inputs and enhanced security controls for favorites functionality. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious inputs, and conducting regular security assessments of user-generated content handling. The remediation process should also involve thorough code reviews focusing on input validation patterns, particularly for web applications that process external user data, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.