Unpacking the Zimbra Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability (CVE-2023-37580)

Insights and Protections

On November 16, 2023, a significant security concern was published by Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG). They revealed an alarming vulnerability in Zimbra Collaboration, a widely-used email hosting tool for organizations. This vulnerability, designated with an identifier, CVE-2023-37580, is a glaring example of a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) issue. It allows malicious scripts to be injected into unsuspecting users’ browsers through a deceptively simple method: clicking on a harmful link.

Campaigns Exploiting the Vulnerability

Google’s TAG identified four distinct campaigns exploiting this vulnerability. The initial exploitation traces back to June of this year, when it was still a zero-day vulnerability – a term for a security flaw that is exploited before the software creator is aware of it or has released a patch. Notably, the fourth campaign occurred even after the release of an official patch in August.

While the vulnerability was a zero-day and was not previously known, the exploitation was straightforward as it is a classic reflected Cross-Site Scripting in HTTP GET parameter. Every WAAP should possess the capability to identify and block this common type of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), just as it does with other varieties of Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

An interesting observation is the typical increase in attack attempts following the publication of research or blog posts about vulnerabilities. Following the TAG’s report, we anticipate a surge in similar types of attacks.

The Importance of Multi-layered Defense

The discovery of new zero-day vulnerabilities is a daily occurrence, making their protection challenging. A robust, multilayered defense-in-depth approach is vital for secure, attack-resilient infrastructure. We recommend deploying WAAP solutions like Wallarm in front of critical applications, both external and internal, as an additional protective layer. Even when applications are susceptible to zero-day vulnerabilities, common exploitation techniques or patterns are often detectable by WAAP systems.

Beyond Single Security Solutions

It’s crucial to recognize that no single security control, including WAAP, is foolproof (i.e. no silver bullet per se). A comprehensive security strategy should incorporate a layered approach with preventive measures within the secure software development lifecycle (SDLC), regular patch management, and configuration management.

Stay Informed and Protected

For more detailed information on this vulnerability and the associated campaigns, refer to the following resources:

• Google TAG research
• NVD NIST Detail on CVE-2023-37580
• Zimbra Security Advisories

Stay vigilant and informed to safeguard your digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats with Wallarm.

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