CVE-2020-5552 in mailform
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in mailform version 1.04 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5552 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the mailform plugin version 1.04, classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This issue arises from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the mailform component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or escape input parameters before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content, allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that likely involve form submission fields or URL parameters within the mailform functionality. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, get rendered as part of the web page content without proper sanitization. This allows for the execution of scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as those described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage the XSS vector to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
Operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for organizations using the affected mailform plugin, as it creates a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user information. Users who interact with the vulnerable application may unknowingly execute malicious code that can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data, leading to unauthorized access to accounts and potential data breaches. The impact is further amplified when considering that many organizations rely on web forms for customer communication, making the mailform plugin a critical component that, when compromised, can affect entire user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-5552 should prioritize immediate patching of the mailform plugin to version 1.05 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into web pages. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging of form submissions and user interactions to aid in incident response and forensic analysis. The remediation process should follow industry best practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.