CVE-2008-5994 in Connectra NGX
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in Check Point Connectra NGX R62 HFA_01 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the dir parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2017
The CVE-2008-5994 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw in Check Point Connectra NGX R62 HFA_01 software, specifically within the index.php script. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 as an insufficient input validation, where user-supplied data fails to be properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. The affected parameter dir in the index.php file creates an injection point that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated users' browsers, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on this web application gateway.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the dir parameter to inject malicious payloads that get executed in the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it enables attackers to establish a foothold within the network perimeter, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further lateral movement attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Connectra NGX serves as a web application firewall and secure access gateway, making it a critical component in enterprise security infrastructure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability compromises the integrity of the web application and undermines user trust in the security controls. Organizations using this version of Connectra NGX face potential unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, as attackers can exploit the XSS flaw to gain insights into internal network structures, user activities, and potentially escalate privileges within the application. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious URLs with the dir parameter containing JavaScript payloads, which when clicked by authenticated users, execute the injected code in their browser context. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, as attackers could use this XSS to deliver malicious payloads or redirect users to phishing sites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5994 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Check Point, as the vendor likely released a security update addressing this specific input validation weakness. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper encoding of user-supplied data before rendering in web responses, and establish robust output filtering mechanisms. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious parameter values. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and users can help identify potential phishing attempts that might exploit this vulnerability, while regular security assessments should verify that all input parameters are properly validated and sanitized. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats targeting web application components.