CVE-2021-40971 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 newpassword1 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-40971 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the spotweb 1.5.1 software and earlier versions. This vulnerability exists in the installer template file step-004.inc.php which processes user input during the installation process. The flaw specifically affects the newpassword1 parameter, which is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered back to the user's browser. This creates an opportunity for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the spotweb application's installation module. When the newpassword1 parameter is submitted during the installation process, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into the HTML response. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability categorized under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including maliciously crafted password inputs that contain script tags or other malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface web applications, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by submitting malicious payloads through the newpassword1 parameter during installation, which will then be executed in the browser of any user who views the affected page. This threat is particularly concerning for spotweb installations where the installer is accessible to unauthenticated users, as it provides an attack surface that can be exploited without prior authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access and T1566.001 for social engineering, as it can be used to compromise user sessions and manipulate installation processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-40971 should prioritize immediate patching of affected spotweb installations to version 1.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in HTML contexts. Additional protective measures include restricting access to installation files, implementing content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when proper sanitization practices are not implemented during software development. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.