CVE-2019-9541 in Automated Message Handling System
Summary
by MITRE
: Information Exposure vulnerability in itemlookup.asp of Telos Automated Message Handling System allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary script into an AMHS session. This issue affects: Telos Automated Message Handling System versions prior to 4.1.5.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2020
The CVE-2019-9541 vulnerability represents a critical information exposure flaw within the Telos Automated Message Handling System that enables remote code execution through script injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the itemlookup.asp component of the AMHS platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate session data and inject arbitrary scripts into active communication channels. The affected system versions prior to 4.1.5.5 demonstrate a significant security gap that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of automated message handling operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer, allowing attackers to exploit weak sanitization controls in the message lookup functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters within the itemlookup.asp script, where user-supplied data is not properly validated or escaped before being processed and returned to users. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of legitimate user sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The flaw operates as a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability with information exposure characteristics, as demonstrated by the ability to inject arbitrary code that can access sensitive session information or manipulate message flow. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or validate user input in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9541 extends beyond simple script injection, as it compromises the fundamental security assumptions of the Automated Message Handling System. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to message queues, manipulate automated workflows, or extract sensitive communication data from the system. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this flaw from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or legitimate credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on automated message handling for critical communications, as it can disrupt business operations and potentially lead to data breaches. The impact is amplified when considering that AMHS systems often handle sensitive information including financial transactions, personal data, or operational communications that require strict confidentiality and integrity controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9541 should focus on immediate remediation through the application of vendor patches and updates to version 4.1.5.5 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes for input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns targeting the itemlookup.asp endpoint, while also establishing regular security scanning procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. The implementation of proper input sanitization mechanisms, output encoding, and secure coding practices should be enforced across all web application interfaces to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to ensure that all components of the AMHS system are properly secured against injection attacks, with particular attention to the session management and data processing functions. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding standards and maintaining up-to-date security controls in automated messaging systems, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the ATT&CK matrix's web application exploitation techniques.