CVE-2019-15950 in CRM Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The CRM Plugin before 4.2.4 for Redmine allows XSS via crafted vCard data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15950 affects the CRM Plugin for Redmine versions prior to 4.2.4, presenting a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper handling of crafted vCard data. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to adequately sanitize or validate user-supplied input when processing vCard files, which are commonly used for contact information exchange in business applications. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's data ingestion and rendering mechanisms, where maliciously formatted vCard content can be injected into the application's web interface without proper security controls.
The technical flaw manifests when the CRM plugin processes vCard data that contains malicious script code within its fields, particularly in name, email, or phone number attributes. When this malformed data is displayed within the Redmine user interface, the embedded scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected contact information. This represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the application's standard input validation controls, allowing attacker-controlled content to be rendered as executable code within the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, defacement of user interfaces, or redirection to malicious websites. An attacker could craft a malicious vCard file containing JavaScript payloads that would execute whenever any user views the contact information within the Redmine interface. This vulnerability affects all users who have access to the CRM plugin functionality and could potentially be exploited through social engineering tactics where users are tricked into importing malicious vCard files. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of scripts through web browsers, and represents a significant risk to organizational security due to the privileged nature of Redmine's user interface and its integration with business-critical project management workflows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to CRM Plugin version 4.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization patches. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls that enforce strict sanitization of all vCard data before rendering, particularly focusing on the removal of potentially dangerous characters and script tags from contact information fields. Additional protective measures include implementing content security policies to prevent script execution, conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins, and establishing user awareness training to prevent the import of untrusted vCard files. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual vCard import activities that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.