CVE-2019-19855 in Serpico
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Serpico (aka SimplE RePort wrIting and CollaboratiOn tool) 1.3.0. admin/list_user allows stored XSS via the auth_type parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19855 resides within Serpico version 1.3.0, a web-based reporting and collaboration tool designed for security professionals. This application facilitates the creation and sharing of security reports while enabling collaborative workflows among team members. The vulnerability manifests in the admin/list_user endpoint which is accessible to administrators and handles user management operations. The flaw specifically affects the auth_type parameter which is used to define authentication types for users within the system. This parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output encoding, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stored cross-site scripting pattern where malicious input is first accepted and stored within the application's database or processing pipeline. When the auth_type parameter contains malicious script code, this content is subsequently rendered in the user interface without proper sanitization or encoding. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the system and will execute whenever affected users view the list_user page. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-19855 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the security reporting environment. Since the vulnerability affects an administrative endpoint, successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data and system configurations. The stored nature of the XSS means that the attack vector can be maintained over time, potentially affecting multiple users who view the compromised user list page. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in security tooling environments where users may have elevated privileges and access to sensitive information. The impact is amplified because the affected application is designed for security professionals who may inadvertently click on malicious links or view compromised content while performing their duties.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Serpico application to version 1.3.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding for the auth_type parameter. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that validate all user-supplied data against expected formats and reject or encode potentially malicious content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parameters and endpoints, particularly in administrative interfaces where privilege escalation risks are higher. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted users. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators can help prevent accidental exploitation through social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the security improvements.