CVE-2003-0217 in Instant Virtual Extranet
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Neoteris Instant Virtual Extranet (IVE) 3.01 and earlier allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary web script and bypass authentication via a certain CGI script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The CVE-2003-0217 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Neoteris Instant Virtual Extranet (IVE) version 3.01 and earlier systems. This vulnerability resides within the authentication mechanisms of the IVE platform, which was designed to provide secure remote access solutions for enterprise networks. The affected system operates as a virtual private network appliance that facilitates secure connections between remote users and corporate resources, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to protected networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within a specific CGI script component of the IVE software. When users interact with the web-based management interface or authentication pages, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input data before processing or displaying it within web responses. This insufficient sanitization creates an opening for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response, which then executes within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication flow where user credentials or session data might be processed through the vulnerable CGI script, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. By crafting malicious payloads that exploit the XSS flaw, attackers can potentially steal session cookies, impersonate legitimate users, or redirect authenticated users to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the vulnerable IVE system. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security posture of the appliance, as it allows unauthorized access to the entire network infrastructure that the IVE system is designed to protect, potentially leading to complete network compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the Neoteris IVE software, which would address the input validation deficiencies in the CGI script. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious script content and deploy additional monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activity patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which catalogs cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input sanitization can lead to authentication bypass scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through web application exploitation and session management manipulation, highlighting the importance of proper input validation in maintaining application security. Organizations should also review their network access controls and consider implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential exploitation, as the vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a path to elevate privileges and gain unauthorized access to protected resources.