CVE-2019-16949 in Web Chat
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Enghouse Web Chat 6.1.300.31 and 6.2.284.34. A user is allowed to send an archive of their chat log to an email address specified at the beginning of the chat (where the user enters in their name and e-mail address). This POST request can be modified to change the message as well as the end recipient of the message. The e-mail address will have the same domain name and user as the product allotted. This can be used in phishing campaigns against users on the same domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16949 resides within Enghouse Web Chat versions 6.1.300.31 and 6.2.284.34, presenting a significant security flaw that enables attackers to manipulate email communication channels. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper access controls within the chat logging and email transmission functionality of the web chat application. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to intercept and modify the email address of the recipient, effectively redirecting sensitive chat log communications to attacker-controlled addresses while maintaining the appearance of legitimacy from the original domain.
The technical flaw manifests through a POST request manipulation capability that permits attackers to alter both the email message content and the intended recipient address. The vulnerability specifically affects the email address field where users initially enter their contact information, allowing the attacker to modify the destination email address to a different user within the same domain. This manipulation occurs because the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user inputs before processing the email transmission request, creating an opportunity for unauthorized modification of the recipient address. The flaw is classified under CWE-20 as a weakness in input validation, specifically related to improper handling of user-supplied data in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, creating a vector for sophisticated phishing campaigns that exploit trust within organizational domains. When users receive chat log emails, they are likely to trust communications from what appears to be a legitimate internal source, particularly since the email addresses maintain the same domain name and user format as the original system. Attackers can leverage this to craft convincing phishing messages that appear to originate from trusted colleagues or system administrators, potentially leading to credential theft, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the organization's network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing attacks and represents a significant risk to enterprise security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the web chat application. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of Enghouse Web Chat or implement network-level controls to monitor and restrict email transmission capabilities. The system should validate all user inputs before processing email requests, particularly the recipient email address field, and implement additional verification mechanisms to ensure that email addresses are not modified without proper authorization. Security teams should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect anomalous email patterns and establish clear policies for handling chat log communications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs in web applications and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of critical system parameters.