CVE-2020-26517 in codeBeamer ALM
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2021
A cross-site scripting (XSS) issue was discovered in Intland codeBeamer ALM 10.x through 10.1.SP4. It is possible to perform XSS attacks through using the WebDAV functionality to upload files to a project (Authn users), using the users import functionality (Admin only), and changing the login text in the application configuration (Admin only).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-26517 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Intland codeBeamer ALM version 10.x through 10.1.SP4, exposing the application to persistent XSS attacks that can be exploited by authenticated users. This vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that collectively undermine the application's security posture. The first vector involves the WebDAV functionality, where authenticated users can upload files to projects, potentially embedding malicious scripts within file content that executes when other users access these resources. The second vector restricts itself to administrative users but leverages the user import functionality, allowing privileged attackers to inject malicious code during the import process. The third vector targets administrative users specifically and exploits the application configuration's login text modification feature, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into the login interface that persist across sessions. These attack vectors align with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as the improper sanitization of user-supplied input, and represent a classic case of persistent XSS where malicious scripts are stored on the server and executed against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where codeBeamer ALM serves as a central application lifecycle management platform. The attack surfaces provided by the WebDAV upload functionality, user import process, and configuration text modification all represent legitimate application features that have been improperly secured against malicious input validation, creating persistent backdoors for attackers to establish long-term presence within the application ecosystem. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious file uploads as a method of initial access, and T1531, which covers the use of malicious code injection to maintain persistence within applications. The administrative restrictions on the user import and login text modification vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited by attackers who have obtained administrative credentials through other means, potentially escalating their privileges further within the system. Organizations using codeBeamer ALM in production environments face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited by both internal users with appropriate permissions and external attackers who have gained access to valid user accounts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged accounts are compromised. The persistent nature of the XSS vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts can continue to execute against all users who interact with the affected application components, creating a sustained threat that can persist even after the initial attack vector has been patched. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, which reduces its immediate exposure but does not eliminate the risk, particularly in environments where privilege escalation or credential compromise is possible. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to application integrity and user security, particularly in enterprise environments where codeBeamer ALM is used to manage sensitive development and operational data. The fix should involve comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding across all user-supplied data, particularly in the WebDAV upload functionality, user import processes, and configuration modification interfaces, ensuring that all data is properly validated and escaped before being stored or rendered within the application. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring for suspicious file upload activities and configuration changes that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.