CVE-2005-2442 in WebInspect
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Application Scripting (XAS) vulnerability in SPI Dynamics WebInspect 5.0.196 allows remote attackers to inject Javascript from one application into another.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The Cross-Application Scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2442 represents a significant security flaw in SPI Dynamics WebInspect version 5.0.196 that enables remote attackers to execute malicious javascript code across different web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the web application security testing tool's handling of cross-domain requests and script injection mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to compromise the security boundaries between applications. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's scripting engine, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and executed in contexts where they should be isolated. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in security testing environments where tools like WebInspect are used to assess the security posture of web applications, as it could potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the way the tool processes and displays cross-application content, creating a scenario where javascript code from one application can be seamlessly injected into another application's execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of web application security testing parameters and the exploitation of how WebInspect handles cross-domain resource requests. Attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable WebInspect version, results in the injection of javascript code into the application's response handling mechanisms. This occurs due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input and lack of proper sanitization of cross-application data flows within the tool's architecture. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to properly isolate and secure different application contexts, allowing malicious scripts to persist and execute across application boundaries. This flaw is categorized under CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, and falls within the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through spearphishing attachments, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through malicious script injection. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the tool's secure coding practices and input handling mechanisms, particularly in how it manages user-provided data within its security assessment framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2442 extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the security tool's architecture that could allow attackers to compromise the entire security testing environment. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive test data, manipulate security test results, or even use the compromised tool as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of security assessments, as malicious code could be injected into test results, potentially leading to false security postures and compromised security decisions. Organizations using WebInspect 5.0.196 for security testing could face serious consequences including unauthorized access to test environments, data breaches, and the potential for attackers to use the compromised tool to conduct more sophisticated attacks against target applications. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where security tools are used to validate the security of critical applications and infrastructure, as the compromise of such tools could undermine the entire security monitoring and testing framework. This vulnerability also creates a risk of privilege escalation within the testing environment, as attackers could potentially gain elevated access rights through the compromised tool.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2442 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by SPI Dynamics. Organizations should ensure that all instances of WebInspect are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, as the vendor would have implemented proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent cross-application script injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the exposure of the security testing environment to external threats, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their security tools to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise their testing infrastructure. The implementation of proper web application firewall rules and content security policies can help prevent the execution of malicious scripts within the testing environment, while regular monitoring of application logs and security events can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of security testing using multiple tools to ensure that the compromise of one tool does not lead to complete loss of security monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices in security tools themselves, as these applications often have elevated privileges and access to critical system resources that make their compromise particularly dangerous.