CVE-2019-17557 in Syncope EndUser
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that the Apache Syncope EndUser UI login page prio to 2.0.15 and 2.1.6 reflects the successMessage parameters. By this mean, a user accessing the Enduser UI could execute javascript code from URL query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17557 affects the Apache Syncope EndUser UI login page, specifically impacting versions prior to 2.0.15 and 2.1.6. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's user interface components. The vulnerability exists in the way the system handles the successMessage parameter during the authentication process, creating an avenue for malicious code execution through crafted URL parameters.
This security weakness manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary javascript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw occurs when the application directly reflects user-supplied input from the successMessage parameter without proper sanitization or encoding, enabling attackers to construct malicious URLs that contain javascript payloads. When a victim accesses such a crafted URL, the malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it represents a significant risk to the overall security posture of systems utilizing Apache Syncope. The reflected nature of the XSS vulnerability means that attackers can exploit this weakness through social engineering tactics, such as sending malicious links via email or instant messaging. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially escalate to more severe attacks depending on the privileges and access levels of compromised accounts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying skill levels. Attackers can craft URLs that include javascript code within the successMessage parameter, which when loaded by the vulnerable application, executes in the victim's browser. This creates a vector for session manipulation, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the application environment. The vulnerability impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms of Apache Syncope, potentially allowing unauthorized access to protected resources and user data.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Apache Syncope should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 2.0.15 or 2.1.6, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can serve as compensating controls while awaiting the official patches. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL patterns and unusual authentication behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves implementing proper sanitization of user inputs and ensuring that all parameters reflected in the UI are properly encoded to prevent script execution. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust security controls in web application development practices.