CVE-2007-0110 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in nidp/idff/sso in Novell Access Manager Identity Server before 3.0.0-1013 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the IssueInstant parameter, which is not properly handled in the resulting error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The CVE-2007-0110 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within Novell Access Manager Identity Server's Single Sign-On implementation. This security weakness exists in the nidp/idff/sso component of the identity server software, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.0.0-1013. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the IssueInstant parameter, which is a critical element in SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) authentication protocols used for federated identity management. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through this parameter, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the IssueInstant parameter is improperly handled during error message generation within the identity server's SAML processing module. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing crafted script content within the IssueInstant parameter, the server fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into error responses. This improper handling creates an XSS condition where the malicious script executes within the victim's browser context when they encounter the error message containing the unsanitized parameter value. The vulnerability specifically targets the server-side error handling mechanism rather than direct user input processing, making it particularly insidious as it can be triggered through legitimate authentication flows that generate error conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Novell Access Manager for identity federation and single sign-on services. Attackers can leverage this vector to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the core identity server functionality, potentially compromising the entire authentication infrastructure and undermining the trust model that identity federation relies upon. Organizations using this software face risks of credential theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure through compromised user sessions. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a critical weakness in web application security, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0110 require immediate patching of the Novell Access Manager Identity Server to version 3.0.0-1013 or later, which contains the necessary input sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at all entry points, particularly for SAML parameters including IssueInstant, using strict whitelisting approaches rather than blacklisting techniques. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews of authentication flows and implement proper output encoding for all dynamic content in error messages. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in identity management systems, particularly regarding parameter handling in federated authentication protocols where trust relationships are established. Regular security assessments of identity infrastructure components are essential to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could enable similar attack vectors across different authentication mechanisms and identity providers.