CVE-2024-46240 in Collabtive
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2024
Collabtive 3.1 is vulnerable to Cross-site scripting (XSS) via the name parameter under action=system and the company/contact parameters under action=addcust within admin.php file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-46240 affects Collabtive version 3.1 and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the admin.php file where multiple parameters fail to properly sanitize user input before rendering in web pages. The attack vector involves manipulating the name parameter when the action parameter equals system and additionally targeting the company and contact parameters during the action=addcust operation, creating multiple entry points for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Collabtive administrative interface. When administrators or users interact with the system through these specific parameters, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary scripts that execute in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it could enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the application. An attacker could potentially gain administrative access to the Collabtive system, manipulate project data, view sensitive information, or even establish persistent access through more sophisticated attack chains. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality of the application, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Collabtive for project management and collaboration. The impact is amplified because the affected parameters are part of core administrative functions that administrators frequently use, increasing the attack surface and likelihood of successful exploitation.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves updating to the latest version of Collabtive where the XSS flaws have been patched and input validation has been strengthened. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and input sanitization measures should be enforced throughout the application, particularly in administrative interfaces where user input is processed. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious payloads before they reach the application. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Access controls should be reviewed to ensure that administrative functions are properly protected and that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive areas of the application. The remediation process should include comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect any exploitation attempts and ensure proper incident response procedures are in place to address potential compromise of the system.