CVE-2019-12773 in Impact 360
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Verint Impact 360 15.1. At wfo/help/help_popup.jsp, the helpURL parameter can be changed to embed arbitrary content inside of an iFrame. Attackers may use this in conjunction with social engineering to embed malicious scripts or phishing pages on a site where this product is installed, given the attacker can convince a victim to visit a crafted link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2020
This vulnerability exists in Verint Impact 360 version 15.1 within the wfo/help/help_popup.jsp component where the helpURL parameter is improperly validated and sanitized. The flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the iframe source URL through the helpURL parameter, enabling the injection of arbitrary content into the help popup interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection as this vulnerability can be leveraged to create a sophisticated phishing attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to craft malicious links that when clicked by authenticated users, display deceptive content within the legitimate application interface. The iFrame injection technique allows attackers to present content that appears to originate from the trusted Verint Impact 360 application, making it particularly dangerous for social engineering campaigns. Attackers can embed phishing pages that mimic legitimate login interfaces or malicious scripts that attempt to steal session cookies, credentials, or perform other malicious actions within the context of the authenticated user session. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be combined with phishing campaigns to target specific user populations within organizations using this software. This represents a prime example of how web application vulnerabilities can be weaponized to create convincing attack vectors that bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing the helpURL parameter to ensure it only accepts trusted, pre-approved URLs or implements strict URL validation that prevents arbitrary domain injection. Organizations should implement content security policies that restrict iframe embedding capabilities and employ strict origin validation for all dynamic content sources. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by monitoring for suspicious parameter values and blocking known malicious patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize potential phishing attempts that exploit such vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers social engineering techniques, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of vulnerabilities through malicious web content. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar injection flaws in other application components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.