CVE-2020-35419 in Group Office
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2021
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Group Office CRM 6.4.196 via the SET_LANGUAGE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35419 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within Group Office CRM version 6.4.196 that specifically targets the SET_LANGUAGE parameter. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the affected system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages a parameter that is commonly used for language configuration, making it a legitimate part of the application's functionality that users might interact with regularly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the SET_LANGUAGE parameter before processing it. This parameter is typically used to determine the user interface language for the application, but in the affected version of Group Office CRM, the input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious script injection. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and passes it through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate sanitization, allowing the script to be stored or executed in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various means including crafted URLs, email links, or even through social engineering techniques that trick users into clicking malicious links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and access sensitive data within the CRM system. Since Group Office CRM is typically used for managing customer relationships, business communications, and sensitive organizational data, successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to confidential information, manipulation of customer records, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate users of the application but also potentially the entire organization's data integrity and security posture. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking or to perform further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like SET_LANGUAGE, through comprehensive validation that rejects or encodes potentially malicious content. Organizations should implement proper content security policies and ensure that all parameters are properly escaped when rendered in the user interface. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to keep the application current with the latest security fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, as attackers often use crafted URLs or links to deliver malicious payloads through web applications. The remediation approach should include comprehensive security testing and code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parameters and application components.