CVE-2007-3623 in JP1-HiCommand Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Hitachi JP1/HiCommand Device Manager, Tiered Storage Manager, Replication Monitor, and GlobalLink Availability Manager before 20070528 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Expect HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2022
The CVE-2007-3623 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Hitachi's suite of storage management applications including JP1/HiCommand Device Manager, Tiered Storage Manager, Replication Monitor, and GlobalLink Availability Manager. This vulnerability specifically targets the improper handling of HTTP headers, particularly the Expect header, which serves as an HTTP/1.1 extension mechanism for request body processing. The flaw exists in versions prior to the 20070528 release, indicating that Hitachi had not yet addressed this security weakness in their software stack. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly through HTTP headers, bypassing traditional input validation mechanisms that typically focus on user-supplied data within request bodies or parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the HTTP Expect header, which is used to indicate that the client expects certain processing of the request body. When the Hitachi applications fail to properly sanitize or validate this header input, malicious actors can inject arbitrary script code that gets executed in the context of legitimate users' browsers. This particular attack vector is significant because HTTP headers are often not subject to the same rigorous input validation as request parameters, making them an attractive target for attackers seeking to bypass security controls. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, though in this case the attack vector is more subtle and operates through HTTP protocol handling rather than user interaction with malicious files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In a storage management context, where these applications typically handle sensitive infrastructure data and administrative functions, the potential for damage is substantial. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to storage configurations, manipulate replication settings, or compromise the availability of critical storage services. The affected applications are commonly used in enterprise environments where storage management systems are central to business operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations using these Hitachi management tools were at risk of having their storage infrastructure compromised, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruptions, or unauthorized access to critical storage resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3623 require immediate patching of affected systems to the version released after May 28, 2007, when Hitachi addressed this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures such as HTTP header filtering at proxy servers or web application firewalls to prevent malicious Expect headers from reaching the applications. Input validation should be strengthened to ensure all HTTP headers are properly sanitized before processing, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential attack surface, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the storage management infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper HTTP header validation and the need for comprehensive security testing across all aspects of web application development and deployment.