This article is a part of our Vulnerability Database (back to index)
Cross-site Scripting occurrences in Fortimail
An improper neutralization of input during web page generation vulnerability [CWE-79] in the Webmail of FortiMail before 7.2.0 may allow an unauthenticated attacker to trigger a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack via sending specially crafted mail messages. (2022-09-06, CVE-2022-26114)
A improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('cross-site scripting') in Fortinet FortiMail version 7.0.1 and 7.0.0, version 6.4.5 and below, version 6.3.7 and below, version 6.0.11 and below allows attacker to execute unauthorized code or commands via crafted HTTP GET requests to the FortiGuard URI protection service. (2022-02-02, CVE-2021-43062)
Why Cross-site Scripting can be dangerous
Cross site scripting is an attack where a web page executes code that is injected by an adversary. It usually appears, when users input is presented. This attack can be used to impersonate a user, take over control of the session, or even steal API keys.
The attack can be executed e.g. when you application injects the request parameter directly into the HTML code of the page returned to the user:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=Transaction+Complete
what results in:
<span>Confirmation: Transaction Complete</span>
In that case the message can be modified to become a valid Javascript code, e.g.:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=<script>dangerous javascript code here</script>
and it will be executed locally by the user's browser with full access to the user's personal application/browser data:
<span>Confirmation: <script>dangerous javascript code here</script></span>