CVE-2019-19390 in Workspace Management
Summary
by MITRE
The Search parameter of the Software Catalogue section of Matrix42 Workspace Management 9.1.2.2765 and below accepts unfiltered parameters that lead to multiple reflected XSS issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19390 resides within the Matrix42 Workspace Management platform version 9.1.2.2765 and earlier, specifically affecting the Software Catalogue section's search functionality. This issue represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through improperly validated input parameters. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data enters the system through the search parameter without adequate sanitization or filtering mechanisms, creating an environment where reflected cross-site scripting attacks can occur. The affected component operates within a web-based interface that processes user input to retrieve and display software catalog information, making it a prime target for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's search handler. When users submit search queries through the Software Catalogue section, the system fails to properly sanitize the Search parameter before incorporating it into the HTTP response. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who view the search results. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected back to the user's browser without being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1566.001 for initial access through malicious inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface the application interface, steal sensitive user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. An attacker could craft a malicious URL containing a payload that, when clicked by an unsuspecting administrator or authorized user, would execute the script in their browser context. This could lead to privilege escalation if the affected user has elevated permissions within the Workspace Management system, or allow for data exfiltration from the platform. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the affected Matrix42 version, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on this platform for software management and deployment. The reflected XSS nature also makes it difficult to detect through automated scanning tools, as the attack payload must be actively triggered by a user.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19390 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementation. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that filters or escapes special characters in search inputs before processing them. The recommended approach involves applying context-specific output encoding when displaying user-supplied data in web responses, particularly in HTML contexts where script execution could occur. Additionally, implementing a Content Security Policy (CSP) header can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security patches and updates should be applied immediately upon availability, as Matrix42 has likely released fixes for this vulnerability in subsequent versions. The implementation of Web Application Firewalls (WAF) rules specifically targeting XSS patterns can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough security testing of all input parameters and review the application's security posture to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other sections of the software. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with industry standards that emphasize secure coding principles and the prevention of common web application vulnerabilities.