CVE-2005-2186 in IntruShield Security
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in McAfee IntruShield Security Management System allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) thirdMenuName or (2) resourceName parameter to SystemEvent.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The CVE-2005-2186 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the McAfee IntruShield Security Management System, a network security solution designed to protect enterprise environments from various cyber threats. This vulnerability specifically affects the system's web-based management interface and demonstrates the persistent challenge of input validation flaws in security infrastructure software. The vulnerability exists in the SystemEvent.jsp component which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization, creating an attack vector that could be exploited by authenticated users with malicious intent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct parameter injection points: thirdMenuName and resourceName within the SystemEvent.jsp file. These parameters are processed by the web application without proper input validation or output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is executed in the victim's browser when the affected page is loaded. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must already possess valid credentials to the system, but this does not significantly reduce the risk given the potential for privilege escalation and data exfiltration.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant threats to enterprise security infrastructure. An authenticated attacker could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of the IntruShield system, which could disrupt security operations and provide attackers with insights into the network security posture. The attack could result in unauthorized access to sensitive security configuration data, potentially enabling attackers to modify security policies or disable protective measures.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and it relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly those managing critical security infrastructure. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated and encoded before being processed or displayed within web interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of management interfaces and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise security solutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected McAfee IntruShield systems through official vendor updates, implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and enhanced monitoring of the affected web application components. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web-based management interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities and establish robust input validation procedures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even security-focused applications require rigorous security testing and validation to prevent exploitation of fundamental web application flaws that could compromise entire network security infrastructures.