CVE-2024-21838 in Command Centre Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2024
Improper neutralization of special elements in output (CWE-74) used by the email generation feature of the Command Centre Server could lead to HTML code injection in emails generated by Command Centre.
This issue affects: Gallagher Command Centre 9.00 prior to vEL9.00.1774 (MR2), 8.90 prior to vEL8.90.1751 (MR3), 8.80 prior to vEL8.80.1526 (MR4), 8.70 prior to vEL8.70.2526 (MR6), all version of 8.60 and prior.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2024-21838 represents a critical security flaw in the email generation functionality of Gallagher Command Centre Server, classified under CWE-74 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in output. This weakness manifests when the system fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into email content, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject HTML code that will be executed within the email context. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Command Centre Server platform, spanning from version 8.60 through 9.00, with specific patch levels required to address the issue across different release branches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the email generation module. When users provide data that contains special HTML characters or script tags through the Command Centre interface, the system does not properly neutralize these elements before embedding them into the generated email templates. This allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that, when processed by the email engine, result in the execution of unintended HTML or JavaScript code within the email content. The flaw particularly impacts the server's ability to distinguish between legitimate content and potentially harmful code elements that could be embedded in user-submitted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a potential vector for cross-site scripting attacks and email-based exploitation. An attacker who can influence email content generation could potentially deliver malicious payloads to recipients, enabling various attack scenarios including phishing attempts, credential theft, or the delivery of malware through compromised email clients. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the email communication channel and could undermine the trust users place in system-generated notifications. Organizations relying on Command Centre for security communications face heightened risk of social engineering attacks and potential data breaches through compromised email systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected versions, with specific attention to the recommended build numbers for each supported release branch. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures to ensure all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before email processing. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML encoding in email generation processes will help prevent the execution of unauthorized code elements. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect unusual email generation patterns and maintain regular security assessments of their Command Centre installations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics, specifically targeting email-based attack vectors that leverage output encoding flaws to deliver malicious content to end users.