CVE-2020-8034 in Gollem
Summary
by MITRE
Gollem before 3.0.13, as used in Horde Groupware Webmail Edition 5.2.22 and other products, is affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability via the HTTP GET dir parameter in the browser functionality, affecting breadcrumb output. An attacker can obtain access to a victim's webmail account by making them visit a malicious URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-8034 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the Gollem application component, which is integral to Horde Groupware Webmail Edition 5.2.22 and other affected products. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the HTTP GET dir parameter within the browser functionality, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into the breadcrumb output mechanism. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user's browser without any persistent storage, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. The flaw exists in versions prior to 3.0.13, indicating that this was a known issue that required a specific patch release to address the underlying security weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code within the dir parameter of the HTTP GET request. When a victim user visits this specially crafted URL, the malicious script code becomes embedded in the breadcrumb navigation output and executes within the victim's browser context. This reflected XSS attack vector leverages the web application's insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that can be executed in the context of the victim's session. The vulnerability specifically impacts the breadcrumb functionality, which serves as a navigation aid for users within the webmail application, making it a particularly effective vector for social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to webmail accounts. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to read, modify, or delete email messages, access sensitive personal information, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The attack requires social engineering to convince victims to click on malicious links, but once executed, the consequences can be severe for both individual users and organizations. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Horde Groupware Webmail Edition, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the potential impact significant. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of cross-site scripting attacks that can lead to session hijacking and data theft.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in navigation components like breadcrumbs. The recommended solution involves upgrading to Gollem version 3.0.13 or later, which includes proper sanitization of the dir parameter before it is processed and displayed in the browser interface. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against reflected XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and input sanitization that forms the foundation of secure web application development practices. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in preventing session hijacking attacks and maintaining the integrity of web-based email applications.