CVE-2021-40968 in spotweb
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2021
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in templates/installer/step-004.inc.php in spotweb 1.5.1 and below allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the newpassword2 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the spotweb application version 1.5.1 and earlier, specifically in the installer component at templates/installer/step-004.inc.php. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user input received through the newpassword2 parameter during the installation process. This parameter is used to confirm password entries during system setup, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability represents a classic XSS flaw that can be exploited through unvalidated input handling, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user interactions are expected and processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the installer template. When an attacker submits malicious content through the newpassword2 parameter, the application stores or displays this input without proper sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject HTML tags or JavaScript code that gets executed when other users view the installer interface. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue since the malicious payload is processed and reflected back to users through the application's response. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it occurs during the installation phase, when the application is in a vulnerable state and may not have full security controls in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a payload that steals authentication cookies or session tokens from users accessing the installer, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the installer is accessible to unauthorized users or when the installation process is not properly secured. The security implications are amplified by the fact that this occurs during the initial setup phase, which may be overlooked in security assessments and could provide attackers with a foothold to compromise the entire system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the use of scripting languages to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user input received through the newpassword2 parameter and ensuring proper HTML encoding is applied before any content is rendered in the browser. The application should employ a whitelist-based approach to validate input parameters and reject any content that contains potentially dangerous characters or script tags. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security measures should also include ensuring that installation processes are properly secured and not accessible to unauthorized users, with access controls and authentication mechanisms in place. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other parts of the application codebase. The fix should also include implementing proper error handling that does not expose sensitive information to end users and ensuring that all input parameters are consistently validated regardless of their context within the application.