CVE-2006-3567 in Juniper
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web administration interface logging feature in Juniper Networks (Redline) DX 5.1.x, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the username login field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3567 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web administration interface of Juniper Networks Redline DX series devices running version 5.1.x and potentially earlier releases. This security weakness resides specifically within the logging feature of the administrative web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code execution against authenticated users. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes user input through the username login field, which lacks proper sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in web applications where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or encoding. The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the web application and its users by leveraging the legitimate logging functionality to inject malicious code that executes in the context of the victim's browser session. When an attacker crafts a malicious username containing embedded script tags or javascript code, the vulnerable logging mechanism fails to properly escape or validate this input before displaying it within the administrative interface, thereby enabling the execution of arbitrary web scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the administrative interface. Once exploited, the malicious script can capture session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands with administrative privileges depending on the specific implementation details. This vulnerability particularly affects the Redline DX series devices, which are network security appliances designed for intrusion prevention and network monitoring, making their compromise a significant threat to overall network security posture. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to the system itself, as the malicious payload can be injected through the login field and subsequently executed when the administrative interface displays the logged information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the logging subsystem, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being displayed in the administrative interface. Network administrators should apply the latest security patches provided by Juniper Networks as soon as they become available, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive audit logs to track potential compromise activities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader network infrastructure, particularly in legacy systems that may be susceptible to similar cross-site scripting attacks.