CVE-2009-5092 in FAST ESP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Microsoft FAST ESP 5.1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-5092 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft FAST ESP 5.1.5 and earlier versions of the Enterprise Search Platform management interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a prevalent web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The affected system specifically targets the management interface components of FAST ESP, which serves as the administrative control panel for configuring and managing enterprise search functionalities. Microsoft FAST ESP is designed to provide enterprise-level search capabilities across large-scale data environments, making its management interface a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise the entire search platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the management interface components of FAST ESP. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of user-supplied parameters or form fields within the administrative portal. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access the compromised management interface. This injection typically occurs through parameters that are not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass multiple input points within the management interface, including but not limited to search parameters, configuration fields, or user input forms.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-5092 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially escalate privileges and compromise the entire FAST ESP environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the web application, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The management interface being compromised means that attackers could modify search configurations, alter indexing parameters, or even gain access to sensitive enterprise data through the search platform. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where FAST ESP is used for indexing and searching sensitive corporate information, as it could allow attackers to manipulate search results, access restricted content, or disrupt business operations. The remote nature of the attack vector eliminates the need for physical access or local system compromise, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise infrastructure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the management interface components. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Microsoft FAST ESP versions that contain patches addressing this vulnerability, as Microsoft would have released security updates to correct the input sanitization flaws. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews of all user input handling within the management interface to ensure that proper sanitization techniques are implemented. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the context of web application security controls. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of enterprise search platforms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system infrastructure.