CVE-2007-6037 in Netscaler
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in ws/generic_api_call.pl in Citrix NetScaler 8.0 build 47.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the standalone parameter and other unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6037 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Citrix NetScaler 8.0 build 47.8, specifically affecting the ws/generic_api_call.pl component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in the web services interface of the NetScaler appliance, which serves as a crucial component for application delivery and load balancing in enterprise environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the standalone parameter and other unspecified parameters within the generic_api_call.pl script. Attackers can craft malicious requests that include script code within these parameters, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the affected web service. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into web responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as Citrix NetScaler appliances are typically deployed in critical network infrastructure roles where they handle sensitive traffic and authentication. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, compromise user sessions, or use the appliance as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the generic API call mechanism, which likely handles multiple types of service requests and could provide access to various system functions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6037 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Citrix NetScaler appliance to the latest available security updates from the vendor. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding measures at the application level to prevent script injection attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected web services. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous requests containing script payloads. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for critical infrastructure components and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in web service interfaces can create significant security risks in enterprise environments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security scanning tools to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure.