CVE-2021-45227 in Construction Cloud
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2022
An issue was discovered in COINS Construction Cloud 11.12. Due to an inappropriate use of HTML IFRAME elements, the file upload functionality is vulnerable to a persistent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45227 affects COINS Construction Cloud version 11.12 and represents a critical security flaw in the application's file upload handling mechanism. This issue stems from improper implementation of HTML IFRAME elements within the file upload functionality, creating a persistent cross-site scripting attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability exists in the web application's handling of uploaded files and their subsequent rendering within the user interface, specifically when the system processes and displays file content through embedded iframe elements.
The technical flaw manifests when users upload files that contain malicious script code within their content or metadata. The application's insecure use of IFRAME elements allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code that persists in the system and executes whenever the compromised file is viewed or processed. This persistent nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial upload, creating a long-term threat vector that can affect multiple users who access the compromised files. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically focusing on cross-site scripting issues. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding in web applications, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in HTML contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this persistent XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and access sensitive construction project data. The COINS Construction Cloud environment, which handles critical construction management information, becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential data breaches. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" and T1059.007 which addresses "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript," demonstrating how attackers can exploit this weakness to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious file uploads that appear legitimate, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users trust the application's security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-45227 should focus on immediate remediation of the file upload functionality and implementation of comprehensive input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict file type validation, sanitize all user-supplied content, and ensure proper output encoding before rendering any content within HTML contexts. The use of IFRAME elements should be carefully evaluated and restricted to trusted sources only, with proper sandboxing mechanisms implemented. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the COINS Construction Cloud software to versions that address this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script payloads, conduct regular security testing of file upload mechanisms, and establish proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior associated with XSS attacks, and user education regarding suspicious file attachments should be implemented as part of a comprehensive security awareness program.