CVE-2007-0514 in Cosminexus Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in multiple Hitachi Web Server, uCosminexus, and Cosminexus products before 20070124 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) HTTP Expect headers or (2) image maps.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0514 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple Hitachi web server products including the Hitachi Web Server, uCosminexus, and Cosminexus platforms. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to the 20070124 release, indicating a significant security gap that remained unaddressed for an extended period. The flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit how these web servers process user input, specifically targeting HTTP Expect headers and image map parameters. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a classic cross-site scripting weakness, where malicious code can be injected into web applications and executed in the context of other users' browsers. This particular vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes the use of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected Hitachi web servers fail to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input from HTTP Expect headers or image map parameters. When these headers or parameters contain malicious script code, the web server processes them without adequate filtering mechanisms, allowing the injected code to be rendered in the victim's browser. This creates a persistent threat where any user interacting with the compromised web application could unknowingly execute malicious scripts that might steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The impact is particularly severe because these web servers typically serve as foundational components for enterprise web applications, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access within network environments.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the affected organizations. Attackers can leverage these XSS vulnerabilities to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or deploy additional malware through the compromised web applications. The vulnerability affects organizations using Hitachi's web server solutions for critical business operations, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. Organizations that fail to patch these systems remain vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, credential theft, and unauthorized access to corporate resources. The long window of exposure prior to the 20070124 patch release suggests that many organizations may have remained vulnerable for extended periods, increasing the potential attack surface and damage scope.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0514 require immediate patching of all affected Hitachi web server installations to version 20070124 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP Expect headers and image map parameters before they reach the web server. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened through proper encoding of user-supplied data, particularly when processing HTTP headers and image map coordinates. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications and systems. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution sources. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous patterns in web server logs that might indicate exploitation attempts. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requires organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches and implement proper input validation controls to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.