CVE-2009-1798 in Network Management Card
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities on the Network Management Card (NMC) on American Power Conversion (APC) Switched Rack PDU (aka Rack Mount Power Distribution) devices and other devices allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors. NOTE: the login_username vector for Forms/login1 is already covered by CVE-2009-4406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1798 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting American Power Conversion's Network Management Card (NMC) components within Switched Rack PDU devices and related infrastructure. This security weakness resides in the web-based management interface of these power distribution units, which are commonly deployed in data center environments to monitor and control electrical power consumption. The affected devices operate with web servers that process user input through various interface elements, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise these critical infrastructure components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the NMC's web interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious script code through unspecified vectors within the device's management portal, allowing arbitrary web script or HTML injection directly into the web application's response. The flaw specifically affects the Forms/login1 functionality, though it's important to note that the login_username parameter is already addressed by CVE-2009-4406, indicating that this particular attack vector has been previously documented and mitigated. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially allowing for session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the network infrastructure.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given the critical role that power distribution units play in data center environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the device's management interface, potentially leading to complete control over power distribution within the facility. This could result in service disruption, unauthorized device configuration changes, or even physical damage to connected equipment through power manipulation. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries need not have physical access to the devices, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where physical security measures are robust but network security may be insufficient. Organizations using these devices face potential exposure to persistent threats that could remain undetected while attackers maintain access to critical infrastructure management systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by American Power Conversion, as the vendor would have likely released patches addressing the specific input validation issues. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit access to these management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the device administration portals. Regular security assessments of network management components should include thorough input validation testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other infrastructure devices. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks targeting these management interfaces. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary web management services when not actively required and implementing strict authentication controls including multi-factor authentication to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence tactics, particularly relevant for infrastructure security considerations.