CVE-2020-21783 in IBOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2021
In IBOS 4.5.4 the email function has a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in emailbody[content] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-21783 affects IBOS version 4.5.4 and represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the email functionality of the system. This vulnerability specifically targets the emailbody[content] parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the email composition interface. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is processed and rendered within the email body content area. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications where user-controllable data is not properly escaped or validated before being included in dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the email functionality in ways that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When a user interacts with an email containing malicious script code, the script executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to access email accounts, extract session cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where IBOS systems are used for business communications, as it could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive corporate data or disrupt communication channels. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers leverage web-based vulnerabilities to deliver malicious payloads through email systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-21783 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures to prevent script injection attempts. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those destined for email content fields, using established libraries that properly escape HTML characters and remove potentially dangerous script tags. The system should enforce Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, while also implementing proper output encoding when rendering email content to ensure that any malicious scripts are rendered harmless. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that the IBOS platform remains protected against known vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the email functionality modules that handle user input. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious email traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and user education programs should be implemented to raise awareness about potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. The remediation approach should follow industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.