CVE-2019-11533 in ProjectSend
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ProjectSend before r1070 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The CVE-2019-11533 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in ProjectSend version prior to r1070, exposing the application to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages. The flaw exists in ProjectSend's handling of user-supplied data within the application's web interface, creating an exploitable condition where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within ProjectSend's codebase. When users upload files or interact with the application's web interface, the system fails to adequately sanitize parameters that are subsequently displayed without proper HTML escaping. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain script tags or other HTML elements, which then get executed when legitimate users view the affected content. The vulnerability particularly affects the application's file upload and display functionality, where user-provided filenames, descriptions, or metadata are rendered without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-11533 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to complete compromise of user sessions and access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all users of ProjectSend versions prior to r1070, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching to ProjectSend r1070 or later versions where the XSS protection mechanisms have been strengthened. Input validation should be enhanced to filter and escape all user-supplied content before rendering in web pages, while output encoding should be implemented to prevent script execution in HTML contexts. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1203 for session hijacking and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers may leverage the vulnerability to establish persistent access through stolen sessions or covert data exfiltration channels. Additionally, implementing content security policies and regular security audits of web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments.