CVE-2019-14331 in EspoCRM
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in EspoCRM before 5.6.6. Stored XSS exists due to lack of filtration of user-supplied data in Create User. A malicious attacker can modify the firstName and lastName to contain JavaScript code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14331 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within EspoCRM versions prior to 5.6.6. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data during the user creation process. The vulnerability specifically affects the firstName and lastName fields, which are susceptible to injection attacks that can execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw allows attackers to persistently inject malicious scripts into the application's database through legitimate user creation interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious code becomes part of the application's permanent data store.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness that occurs when an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or escaping. The flaw operates as a stored XSS attack because the malicious JavaScript code is stored on the server and subsequently served to other users when they view the affected user profiles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the legitimate user creation functionality, making it more difficult to detect and exploit without raising immediate red flags. Attackers can craft payloads that execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser context of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for advanced persistent attacks. When malicious users create accounts with crafted JavaScript payloads in their first or last names, any user who views these profiles becomes vulnerable to the stored XSS attack. This creates a potential attack surface that can be exploited to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where EspoCRM is used for customer relationship management, as it can compromise sensitive business data and user information. The attack can be executed by any user with permission to create accounts, potentially allowing internal attackers or compromised accounts to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the vendor-provided patch to version 5.6.6 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being stored or rendered in web pages. Network segmentation and monitoring controls can help detect anomalous user creation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on input handling and output encoding practices, particularly around user profile management features. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities can provide an additional layer of protection while awaiting patch deployment. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework, where such flaws can be exploited as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks targeting enterprise environments.