CVE-2018-8903 in Open-AudIT Professional
Summary
by MITRE
Open-AudIT Professional 2.1 allows XSS via the Name or Description field on the Credentials screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8903 affects Open-AudIT Professional version 2.1 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the credentials management interface. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface, particularly when processing user-supplied data in the Name or Description fields of the Credentials screen. The vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface, potentially compromising the security of authenticated users who interact with the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize and encode user input before rendering it within the web interface. When administrators or users enter data into the Name or Description fields of credentials, the application stores this information without adequate validation processes. The flaw specifically manifests when the stored data is subsequently displayed to other users, creating an environment where malicious script code can be executed within the context of the victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is processed without proper sanitization, leading to script execution in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who can successfully inject malicious scripts into the credentials screen could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface of the application, where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive network information. This vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the trust relationship between the application and its users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized access to network resources that the application manages.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1566 technique for credential access through social engineering and T1059 for command and control through script execution. The vulnerability represents a critical entry point for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within networks managed by Open-AudIT. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments of web applications. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all user-supplied data, establishing strict input validation policies, and conducting regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts of this and related vulnerabilities.