CVE-2008-4520 in AutoNessus
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bulk_update.pl in AutoNessus before 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the remark parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4520 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the AutoNessus web application's bulk update functionality. This issue affects AutoNessus versions prior to 1.2.2 and specifically targets the bulk_update.pl script which processes user input through the remark parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's response, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms, creating an attack surface where untrusted data flows directly into the web page without proper sanitization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where an application incorporates untrusted data into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector exploits the remark parameter in bulk_update.pl, which likely serves as a user input field for adding notes or comments during bulk update operations. When this parameter contains malicious script code, the web application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices where the application trusts user-supplied data without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. Attackers can craft malicious remark values that, when processed by the vulnerable AutoNessus application, execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This could enable unauthorized access to sensitive network scanning data, modification of scan configurations, or even complete compromise of the scanning environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AutoNessus is used for network security assessments, as it could allow attackers to manipulate scan results or gain access to privileged scanning functionalities. According to ATT&CK framework category T1531, this vulnerability could be leveraged for privilege escalation and lateral movement within network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4520 should prioritize immediate patching of AutoNessus to version 1.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation and output encoding. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including HTML entity encoding of all user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. The application should employ strict parameter validation to reject or sanitize any input containing potentially dangerous script tags or JavaScript constructs. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, using secure output encoding mechanisms, and conducting regular security testing of web applications. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious remark parameter values that might indicate attempted exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable application components. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in preventing XSS attacks, as recommended by security standards and best practices established by organizations such as OWASP and NIST.