CVE-2024-49550 in Connect
Summary
by MITRE • 12/10/2024
Adobe Connect versions 12.6, 11.4.7 and earlier are affected by a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability. If an attacker is able to convince a victim to visit a URL referencing a vulnerable page, malicious JavaScript content may be executed within the context of the victim's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
Adobe Connect is a web-based platform for hosting virtual meetings and training sessions that has been identified with a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in versions 12.6 and 11.4.7 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input that is reflected back to the user in the application's response. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code and tricks a user into clicking it, the script executes within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised session.
The technical nature of this reflected XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but is instead injected into the application's response through user-supplied parameters. In Adobe Connect's case, this likely occurs when the application processes URL parameters or form inputs without adequate sanitization before returning them to the user. The attack vector typically involves sending a specially crafted URL to a victim through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or malicious links in communication channels. When the victim clicks the link, their browser executes the injected JavaScript code within the legitimate Adobe Connect context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains leading to full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, where stolen authentication tokens allow unauthorized access to user accounts and their associated privileges. The vulnerability also enables man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can inject malicious content into the communication channel between users and the Adobe Connect server. This risk is particularly concerning for organizations using Adobe Connect for sensitive business communications, training sessions, or collaborative work environments where user credentials and confidential information are frequently exchanged.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest available versions of Adobe Connect that address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released patches for affected versions. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious input patterns, though these should not be considered a complete solution. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at the application level to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or returned to users. Security awareness training for employees is crucial to prevent successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, as human factors remain the primary vector for initial compromise. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify any additional weaknesses in their deployment of Adobe Connect and related systems, implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.