CVE-2019-20008 in Archery
Summary
by MITRE
In Archery before 1.3, inserting an XSS payload into a project name (either by creating a new project or editing an existing one) will result in stored XSS on the vulnerability-scan scheduling page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20008 affects Archery version 1.2 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security of the application's project management functionality. This vulnerability exists within the input validation mechanisms that govern project name fields, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being stored in the application's database. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker injects malicious javascript payloads into project names during creation or modification processes, creating a persistent security risk that affects multiple application components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output encoding and input sanitization practices within the Archery application's backend processing logic. When project names containing malicious payloads are saved, these inputs are stored without proper HTML entity encoding or javascript sanitization, allowing the injected code to persist in the database. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when the stored project names are subsequently displayed on the vulnerability-scan scheduling page, where the malicious code executes within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This creates a classic stored XSS attack vector that enables attackers to execute arbitrary javascript code in the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-20008 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform privilege escalation attacks through session manipulation and data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects all authenticated users who access the vulnerability-scan scheduling page, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive project information, or even gain complete control over the application's administrative functions. The persistence of the malicious payloads means that the vulnerability remains active until the affected project names are manually modified or deleted, creating an ongoing security risk that could be exploited by attackers over extended periods.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to harvest session cookies or manipulate application data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding controls, proper sanitization of all user-supplied data, and regular security updates to address the vulnerability. The recommended remediation involves updating to Archery version 1.3 or later, where proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms have been implemented to prevent malicious payloads from being stored or executed within the application's user interface components.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure input handling in web applications, particularly in enterprise security tools where privileged access and sensitive data handling are common. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks in applications that manage critical security workflows and vulnerability assessments. Organizations using Archery or similar security tools should conduct thorough security assessments of their application environments and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being stored or rendered in web interfaces.