CVE-2022-24573 in HTTP Commander
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2022
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the admin interface in Element-IT HTTP Commander 7.0.0 allows unauthenticated users to get admin access by injecting a malicious script in the User-Agent field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2022
The CVE-2022-24573 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the administrative interface of Element-IT HTTP Commander version 7.0.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data submitted through the User-Agent HTTP header field. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist within the application's administrative interface, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by any user who interacts with the vulnerable system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a specific attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious User-Agent string containing embedded JavaScript code that gets stored within the application's database or session management system. When administrative users access the system or view user information through the web interface, the stored script executes in their browser context, potentially enabling session hijacking, privilege escalation, or complete administrative access. This represents a classic stored XSS attack pattern that violates the fundamental security principle of input sanitization and output encoding. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly validate or escape user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the administrative interface. An attacker who successfully injects malicious code can potentially access sensitive administrative functions, modify system configurations, extract user credentials, or perform unauthorized data operations. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior credentials are required to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not properly isolate their administrative interfaces or implement proper network segmentation. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable application, followed by User-Agent header manipulation, and finally execution of the stored payload when administrative users interact with the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24573 should include immediate patching of the Element-IT HTTP Commander application to the latest available version that addresses the stored XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all HTTP headers, particularly the User-Agent field, before processing user data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious User-Agent patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can help prevent execution of unauthorized scripts even if the vulnerability is not fully patched. Additionally, administrative interfaces should be protected through proper authentication mechanisms, network segmentation, and access control measures that limit direct exposure to untrusted networks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications, particularly focusing on input validation weaknesses that could lead to persistent security issues.