ColdFusion cross-site scripting security vulnerability of an error page

[Takashi Hara <pfh00062@xxxxxxxxx>]

>> The outline of vulnerability

Macromedia's ColdFusion can display the various information about an error at 
the time of error occurred.
There is information transmitted from a client machine like "Referer".
ColdFusion displays the information as it is. 
An attacker can execute a script on victim's browser by preparing for WEB the 
link which embedded arbitrary scripts.


>> User's risk

The user who accesses a vulnerable server has a risk that forced to execute the 
arbitrary javascript and HTML code which the attacker embedded.
Risks of being assumed are below.
 session high-jack ( by stolen cookie )
 page defacement by embedded html tags.
 etc.
It is insecure to store critical information ( such as personal 
information ) without encryption in cookie. Such a poor 
 application will make risk bigger when session-highjack occurs.


>> The range of influence

This problem is contained in the error page of all versions of ColdFusion.
This problem does not occurred when ColdFusion's error page does not include 
the contents transmitted from client machines ( such as "Referer" ).


>> About vulnerability

In Cold Fusion, an error screen is displayed at the time of error occurred.
It is possible to display the contents transmitted from the client machine 
(#error.HTTPReferer#) as it is.
When the code for an attack is contained in the contents to display, a 
cross-site scripting attack can be executed.

For example, the script will be executed when the script for an attack is 
embedded by "Referer" in #error.HTTPReferer#, and an error screen is displayed.
The same problem exists in the #error.QueryString# .


>> Sample attack

User using Cold Fusion of the site A (www.CFtestA.com).
The method of stealing cookie is bellow.

1. An attacker creates the page B (www.atack_testA.com/cf.html) with the link 
to the site A.
2. Next, after considering the invitation complaint which is easy to guide 
victims, such as present collection, to another page, the link to Page B is 
attached.
A code for an attack is embedded into this link, that code remains as "Referer" 
information as it is, and when it clicks the link to the site A which has a 
victim in Page B, it will be executed.
Example: <a href 
="http://www.atack_testA.com/cf.html?&lt;script&gt;alert(document.cookie) 
&lt;/script&gt;"> GET PRIZE! HERE'S PRIZE LINKS!</a>

When cookie is published in site A, it can steal by this method.
In addition, cf.html does not need to have the mechanisms (CGI etc.).
The code below "?" is disregarded.   cf.html is only displayed.
However, an attack becomes possible in order for "?" or subsequent ones to 
remain in "Referer" as it is.
By changing the code embedded by the same method, it becomes possible to 
execute arbitrary codes.


>> Solution

The patch corresponding to this problem is distributed at Macromedia.
A patch can come to hand by Following URL.
URL of http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/security/security_zone/mpsb03-06.html
Moreover, you should not use an error page which displays the contents 
transmitted from a client machine as it is irrespective of the existence of 
patch application.
Although it may be necessity at the debugging time, it is dangerous with real 
operation environment.

T.Hara , Scan Security Wire http://www.scan-web.com/ .
http://www.scan-web.com/jvi/index.cgi