CVE-2022-36967 in WS_FTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2022
In Progress WS_FTP Server prior to version 8.7.3, multiple reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities exist in the administrative web interface. It is possible for a remote attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript into a WS_FTP administrator's web session. This would allow the attacker to execute code within the context of the victim's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2022
The CVE-2022-36967 vulnerability affects Progress WS_FTP Server versions prior to 8.7.3 and represents a critical security flaw in the administrative web interface. This vulnerability falls under the category of reflected cross-site scripting attacks where malicious actors can inject JavaScript code into the server's administrative interface. The flaw exists in how the web application processes and displays user input without proper sanitization, creating an opportunity for attackers to exploit the system through web-based attacks. The vulnerability specifically impacts the administrative web session, which means that any successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the WS_FTP Server's administrative web interface. When administrators interact with the web-based management console, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser context. This creates a reflected XSS vector where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that get executed when the administrator views the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, which typically has elevated privileges and access to critical system functions. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is directly included in generated HTML without proper sanitization or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution within the browser context. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially hijack administrator sessions, steal sensitive credentials, modify server configurations, and gain unauthorized access to the underlying file system. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can craft specific URLs or forms that, when clicked by an administrator, will execute malicious JavaScript code in the administrator's browser. This approach allows attackers to bypass traditional network-level security controls and operate from within the trusted administrative environment. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage through web shells or browser-based attacks, and T1566 which addresses spearphishing with a specific focus on web-based delivery methods.
Organizations running affected versions of Progress WS_FTP Server should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch to version 8.7.3 or later. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this vulnerability. The administrative web interface should be restricted to trusted networks only, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented for all administrative accounts. Regular monitoring of web application logs for suspicious activity and implementing proper input validation controls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct penetration testing to verify that the patch has been properly applied and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's web interface components.