CVE-2021-45888 in XP Messenger
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2022
An issue was discovered in PONTON X/P Messenger before 3.11.2. The navigation tree that is shown on the left side of every page of the web application is vulnerable to XSS: it allows injection of JavaScript into its nodes. Creating such nodes is only possible for users who have the role Configuration Administrator or Administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45888 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the PONTON X/P Messenger web application that affects versions prior to 3.11.2. This security weakness manifests in the application's navigation tree component which appears on the left side of every page interface. The navigation tree serves as a critical user interface element that organizes application functionality and provides access to various system components. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject JavaScript code directly into the navigation tree nodes, creating a persistent vector for exploitation that can affect all users interacting with the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the navigation tree rendering process. When administrators or configuration administrators create or modify navigation tree nodes, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into the HTML output. This deficiency creates an environment where JavaScript code can be executed within the context of other users' browser sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where legitimate administrative functions are performed, making it difficult to distinguish between benign administrative modifications and malicious code injection attempts. The CWE-79 classification applies here as this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where untrusted data flows into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with a persistent means of executing malicious code against users within the application's security context. Once an attacker gains access to the Configuration Administrator or Administrator role, they can inject JavaScript that could perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is amplified because the navigation tree appears on every page of the application, meaning that the injected JavaScript code could execute whenever users navigate through the application interface. This creates a persistent threat vector that could remain active until the application is updated or the vulnerable nodes are manually removed, potentially affecting all users who interact with the application's navigation structure.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first compromise an account with either the Configuration Administrator or Administrator role, which represents a privilege escalation scenario. However, once achieved, the impact extends beyond simple code execution as the injected JavaScript can leverage the elevated privileges of the compromised administrative account. This could enable attackers to access sensitive system information, modify application configuration, or even manipulate the application's core functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1566 threat group, specifically targeting web application interfaces where user input is not properly sanitized. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms, output encoding, and privilege separation controls to mitigate this risk. The recommended remediation involves updating to PONTON X/P Messenger version 3.11.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation measures that prevent JavaScript injection into navigation tree components while maintaining the application's intended functionality and user experience.