CVE-2008-7266 in Adaptive Authentication
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in an unspecified Shockwave Flash file in RSA Adaptive Authentication 2.x and 5.7.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The CVE-2008-7266 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within RSA Adaptive Authentication software versions 2.x and 5.7.x that specifically targets an unspecified Shockwave Flash file component. This vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization, enabling malicious scripts to execute within the context of the victim's session. The flaw exists in the Flash file implementation that processes user input, creating an attack surface where remote adversaries can inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors that bypass standard security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the vulnerable Flash component within the RSA Adaptive Authentication framework. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious JavaScript code within parameters or data fields that are then rendered by the Flash file without adequate sanitization. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the client-side rendering level where the Flash component processes user-supplied data, making it particularly dangerous in authentication contexts where sensitive information is handled.
The operational implications of CVE-2008-7266 extend beyond simple script injection as it compromises the fundamental security assurances provided by RSA Adaptive Authentication. Organizations using affected versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to protected systems, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability directly conflicts with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten 2004 and subsequent versions, particularly addressing the critical need for input validation and output encoding. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially bypass multi-factor authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to enterprise resources, making this flaw particularly dangerous in high-security environments where RSA Adaptive Authentication is deployed for access control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7266 require immediate remediation through official patches provided by RSA, as the vulnerability exists within core authentication components that cannot be effectively protected through traditional perimeter defenses. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, proxy servers, and direct application controls to prevent malicious script injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation, while security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Flash file activity and anomalous user behavior patterns. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing with Malicious Flash files emphasizes the need for user education and awareness programs to prevent social engineering attacks that leverage such client-side vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other Flash-based components within their infrastructure and ensure proper security configuration of all authentication systems.