CVE-2019-16416 in HRworks
Summary
by MITRE
HRworks 3.36.9 allows XSS via the purpose of a travel-expense report.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16416 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the HRworks 3.36.9 web application, specifically affecting the travel-expense report functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms when processing user-supplied data related to the purpose field of expense reports. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side code injection that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code within the purpose field of a travel expense report. When other users view this report, the unescaped script content gets executed in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in data sanitization and output encoding, where user inputs are directly incorporated into web page content without proper validation or sanitization measures. This weakness enables attackers to bypass the application's security controls and inject malicious JavaScript code that can interact with the victim's browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including session manipulation, data exfiltration, and persistent browser-based attacks. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, access sensitive employee information, or manipulate expense report data to facilitate financial fraud. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where HR systems contain sensitive personnel and financial data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering via spearphishing with malicious attachments, as attackers might use this flaw to deliver malicious payloads through seemingly legitimate expense reporting processes.
Organizations utilizing HRworks 3.36.9 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent script execution. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper input sanitization that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters before processing user input. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and automated vulnerability scanning tools can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. Security awareness training for users should also emphasize the risks of clicking on suspicious links or executing unknown code within corporate applications, particularly those handling sensitive financial data.