Leantime Cross-Site Scripting Scanner

The Leantime software is a project management tool commonly used by small to medium-sized teams aiming to improve productivity and collaboration. It allows users to manage projects, track tasks, and streamline workflows efficiently. Organizations utilize Leantime for its simple interface and flexibility in adapting to varying project requirements. It is popular among tech-savvy teams seeking an open-source solution for project tracking. The system's extensible API makes it a versatile choice for integrating into existing tech stacks. Companies across industries, including tech, marketing, and design, benefit from Leantime's capabilities.

The Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability is a security flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. It targets the dynamic content of web applications by manipulating their scripting environment. In the context of Leantime, XSS occurs when unauthorized scripts are executed in the end user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions. This vulnerability can expose session cookies, provide unauthorized access, and manipulate user interactions. XSS attacks are particularly harmful in environments with sensitive user data, as they might allow for privilege escalation. The persistent nature of stored XSS in Leantime poses significant security challenges.

The vulnerability in Leantime is rooted in its API key creation process, where user inputs are not adequately sanitized. A low-privileged user can create an API key containing an XSS payload. When an administrator accesses the affected Company page, the script is executed due to the lack of proper input validation and escaping methods. This vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious script within the API key creation form, which is then stored in the application database. The affected components include HTTP endpoints and form fields that are improperly sanitized. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized actions performed within the admin's session context.

The potential effects of exploiting this XSS vulnerability in Leantime are considerable. Attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' sessions, resulting in unauthorized actions. They might manipulate or delete critical data, impersonate other users, or escalate privileges by altering user roles. The exploitation can disrupt user sessions, leading to loss of trust and sensitive information disclosure. Organizations might face compliance and regulatory challenges due to data breaches caused by this flaw. Moreover, the persistent nature of such an attack could require extensive measures to identify and remediate affected components.

REFERENCES

• https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-c39w-3pjx-qc7m