CVE-2023-34637 in IsarFlow
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2023
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in IsarNet AG IsarFlow v5.23 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML via injecting a crafted payload into the dashboard title parameter in the IsarFlow Portal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-34637 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within IsarNet AG IsarFlow version 5.23, specifically affecting the dashboard title parameter within the IsarFlow Portal interface. This security weakness enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever the affected dashboard is accessed by other users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storing and rendering it within the web interface. The affected parameter resides in the dashboard management functionality, making it particularly dangerous as administrators and other authenticated users who view the dashboard could unknowingly execute malicious code within their browsers. This stored XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the IsarFlow environment. Once exploited, the malicious scripts can perform various malicious activities including but not limited to session hijacking, credential theft, redirection to malicious sites, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, the persistent nature of stored XSS allows for long-term exploitation without requiring repeated authentication. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers credential harvesting through phishing, and T1566.002 which involves spearphishing with links, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to harvest session tokens or redirect users to malicious domains. The attack chain typically begins with an authenticated user accessing a malicious dashboard title, followed by the execution of the stored script when other users view the dashboard, potentially compromising their sessions and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-34637 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the IsarFlow application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied data before storage, particularly in parameters that are rendered in web interfaces without proper HTML escaping. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code from running within the application context. Additionally, regular security patches and updates from IsarNet AG should be implemented immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability affects a specific version of the software. Network segmentation and monitoring of user activities within the IsarFlow portal can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads before they can be stored or executed. Security awareness training for administrators and users can help prevent initial compromise through social engineering attacks that might lead to credential theft, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase.