CVE-2005-0291 in FVS318
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the log viewer in NETGEAR FVS318 running firmware 2.4, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a blocked URL phrase.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0291 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the NETGEAR FVS318 firewall device's log viewer functionality. This issue affects firmware version 2.4 and potentially other versions of the same device model, creating a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on the device for network monitoring and security logging. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web-based management interface, specifically in how the log viewer component processes and displays user-supplied data.
The technical flaw manifests when the log viewer encounters blocked URL phrases that contain malicious script code. The device fails to properly sanitize or escape these input parameters before rendering them in the web interface, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code. This occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation mechanisms or output encoding techniques to prevent malicious content from being executed in the context of a user's browser session. The vulnerability is classified as a classic XSS attack vector where the attacker can leverage the device's own logging functionality to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users who view the logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with a persistent means of executing malicious code within the browser context of authorized users accessing the device's management interface. An attacker could potentially establish a backdoor session, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This creates a significant risk for network administrators who may be tricked into viewing compromised log entries, thereby compromising their own systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple administrators may access the same device and view log files containing the malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application. Network administrators should immediately upgrade to the latest firmware version available from NETGEAR, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. The implementation of proper web application security controls including input sanitization, output encoding, and Content Security Policy headers can prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage web-based vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only, while maintaining regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.