CVE-2007-5961 in Network Satellite Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Red Hat Network channel search feature, as used in RHN and Red Hat Network Satellite before 5.0.2, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5961 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Red Hat Network channel search functionality of both RHN and Red Hat Network Satellite platforms prior to version 5.0.2. This security weakness resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms and allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary script code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically affects the channel search feature which processes user input to retrieve relevant information from the Red Hat Network infrastructure. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed when other users view the affected search results, creating a persistent security risk within the enterprise environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where improper validation of user-supplied input leads to execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the channel search functionality where user-provided input is not properly sanitized or encoded before being rendered in web responses. Attackers can craft malicious search queries containing script tags or other HTML elements that, when processed by the vulnerable application, get executed in the browsers of other users who view the search results. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original CVE description, indicating that the precise method of injection may involve various input fields or parameters within the search interface. This lack of specificity suggests the vulnerability could potentially be exploited through multiple pathways including direct input fields, URL parameters, or even through manipulated cookies or headers that influence the search behavior. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented in all web applications to prevent XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to significant security compromise within enterprise environments that rely on Red Hat Network infrastructure. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In enterprise settings where RHN and Satellite are used for system management and monitoring, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further network compromise. The attack could be particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently use the search functionality to locate systems or packages, as the malicious code could execute automatically when they view search results. This vulnerability also represents a persistent threat since the injected scripts remain active until the search results are cleared or the application is updated, creating a long-term risk for organizations using vulnerable versions.
Organizations affected by CVE-2007-5961 should immediately implement the security patch released by Red Hat for versions prior to 5.0.2, which addresses the input validation issues in the channel search feature. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input sanitization and output encoding practices that prevent malicious scripts from being executed in web responses. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls or content security policies that provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation mechanisms as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security categories, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web interfaces. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that can quickly identify and contain XSS-related threats, as these vulnerabilities can be exploited in various attack scenarios including those involving social engineering or automated exploitation tools.