CVE-2019-19491 in TestLink
Summary
by MITRE
TestLink 1.9.19 has XSS via the lib/testcases/archiveData.php edit parameter, the index.php reqURI parameter, or the URI in a lib/testcases/tcEdit.php?doAction=doDeleteStep request.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
TestLink 1.9.19 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that stem from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within its web application framework. These vulnerabilities exist in three distinct attack vectors including the archiveData.php script where the edit parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, the index.php script where the reqURI parameter lacks proper validation, and the tcEdit.php script where the URI parameter in delete step requests is not adequately filtered. The core technical flaw resides in the application's failure to implement proper context-aware output encoding and input sanitization measures, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's response.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities is significant as they enable attackers to execute arbitrary javascript code within the context of authenticated user sessions. An attacker could leverage these flaws to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious domains. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they affect core application functionality and can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges. According to CWE classification, these represent CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that directly enables XSS attacks. The attack surface is broad as these vulnerabilities can be triggered through multiple entry points, making them attractive targets for automated exploitation.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities follows standard XSS attack patterns where malicious input is crafted to include script tags or other malicious code that executes in the victim's browser. The specific parameters mentioned in the CVE description indicate that the application's input handling is inconsistent across different modules, suggesting a systemic lack of secure coding practices throughout the codebase. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers could craft malicious payloads that would be executed when users interact with the vulnerable application. The presence of these vulnerabilities in a test management application is particularly dangerous as it could compromise the integrity of test results and potentially allow attackers to manipulate test execution environments. Organizations using TestLink 1.9.19 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization across all affected scripts. The recommended remediation strategy involves implementing context-aware output encoding for all user-controllable parameters and ensuring that all input is properly validated before processing. Additionally, implementing a web application firewall and regular security code reviews would help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.