CVE-2019-16950 in Web Chat
Summary
by MITRE
An XSS issue was discovered in Enghouse Web Chat 6.1.300.31 and 6.2.284.34. The QueueName parameter of a GET request allows for insertion of user-supplied JavaScript.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16950 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Enghouse Web Chat software ecosystem. This issue affects versions 6.1.300.31 and 6.2.284.34, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input in the QueueName parameter of GET requests. The vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate validation and encoding of input data, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious GET request containing JavaScript code within the QueueName parameter. When the vulnerable application processes this request and includes the unsanitized parameter value in its response without proper HTML encoding, the injected script executes within the context of the victim's browser session. This allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, or data exfiltration. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be executed through simple web browser interactions, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of the web chat application and potentially the entire organization's communication infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive conversations, manipulate chat queue data, or establish persistent access points within the organization's network. The vulnerability's presence in a communication platform like Enghouse Web Chat creates additional risks as it could be used to intercept business communications, compromise customer data, or serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers spearphishing with attachments, as the vulnerability could be exploited through crafted web links containing malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-16950 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like QueueName, through proper HTML encoding before incorporating them into web responses. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and employ regular security testing including dynamic application security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of Enghouse Web Chat is essential as this vulnerability represents a known issue that has been addressed in subsequent releases. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security awareness training for developers to prevent similar issues in custom code implementations and adherence to secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security guidelines.