CVE-2023-0519 in modoboa
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository modoboa/modoboa prior to 2.0.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0519 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the modoboa email management platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.0.4. This issue resides in the GitHub repository modoboa/modoboa and constitutes a significant security risk for organizations relying on this email infrastructure solution. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever users access affected pages, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and exfiltrate sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious script code is not properly sanitized or escaped before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. This flaw typically manifests in input fields, configuration parameters, or administrative interfaces where user-supplied data is processed and displayed without adequate validation mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. When exploited, the stored payload can execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially administrative functions within the modoboa environment. Organizations using affected versions face risks of unauthorized access to email accounts, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious scripts remain active until the application is updated or the affected data is manually removed, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods. This vulnerability particularly impacts email administrators who may unknowingly execute malicious code while managing user accounts or system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0519 require immediate application of the vendor-provided patch to version 2.0.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation across all user-facing interfaces and ensure that all data entered into the system undergoes strict sanitization before storage. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual traffic patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of keeping software updated and recognizing potential indicators of exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough auditing of affected systems to identify any previously injected malicious content and verification that all input fields properly implement proper encoding and validation mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities.