CVE-2020-24902 in Quixplorer
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2021
Quixplorer <=2.4.1 is vulnerable to reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) caused by improper validation of user supplied input. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability using a specially crafted URL to execute a script in a victim's Web browser within the security context of the hosting Web site, once the URL is clicked. An attacker could use this vulnerability to steal the victim's cookie-based authentication credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2021
The vulnerability in Quixplorer versions 2.4.1 and earlier represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of web applications relying on this file management system. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability manifests when malicious input is reflected back to users through web pages without appropriate encoding or filtering, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious scripts into the victim's browsing context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script payloads that get executed when a victim clicks the link. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script code is embedded within the HTTP request and then reflected back by the web application to the victim's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting and is categorized as a server-side input validation failure. The attack vector requires user interaction through URL clicking, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios or when delivered through social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise user authentication mechanisms through cookie theft. When an attacker successfully executes malicious JavaScript in a victim's browser, they can access and exfiltrate session cookies that contain authentication credentials. This enables session hijacking attacks where the attacker can impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The security implications are particularly severe given that Quixplorer is typically used for file management and administrative functions, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.
Organizations utilizing Quixplorer should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding measures to prevent malicious data from being reflected back to users. The recommended approach involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, along with implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through web shell deployment, and T1566 which covers social engineering tactics. The most effective long-term solution requires upgrading to Quixplorer versions that have addressed this vulnerability through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.