CVE-2010-0152 in Proventia Network Mail Security System Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Local Management Interface (LMI) on the IBM Proventia Network Mail Security System (PNMSS) appliance with firmware before 2.5.0.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the date1 parameter to pvm_messagestore.php, (2) the userfilter parameter to pvm_user_management.php, (3) the ping parameter to sys_tools.php in a sys_ping.php action, (4) the action parameter to pvm_cert_commaction.php, (5) the action parameter to pvm_cert_serveraction.php, (6) the action parameter to pvm_smtpstore.php, (7) the l parameter to sla/index.php, or (8) unspecified stored data; and allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (9) saved search filters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2010-0152 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Local Management Interface of IBM Proventia Network Mail Security System appliances. This vulnerability affects firmware versions prior to 2.5.0.2 and exposes multiple attack vectors through various PHP scripts that handle user input without proper sanitization. The flaw resides in the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and monitor email security policies, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the security appliance. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web responses without adequate encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans across multiple PHP scripts within the LMI, each presenting distinct attack surfaces for XSS exploitation. The primary attack vectors include the date1 parameter in pvm_messagestore.php which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts during message storage operations, and the userfilter parameter in pvm_user_management.php that enables script injection during user management tasks. Additionally, the ping parameter in sys_tools.php within the sys_ping.php action creates a pathway for command injection through web interface manipulation. The action parameters in pvm_cert_commaction.php, pvm_cert_serveraction.php, and pvm_smtpstore.php represent further opportunities for attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated sessions. The l parameter in sla/index.php and unspecified stored data mechanisms complete the attack surface by providing additional injection points for persistent XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the security appliance. Remote attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or complete compromise of the appliance's management interface. The stored data injection mechanisms are particularly concerning as they allow attackers to inject malicious content that persists across user sessions, enabling long-term surveillance or attack execution. Authenticated users face additional risk through saved search filters that can be manipulated to inject malicious scripts, creating a scenario where legitimate users might inadvertently execute attacker-controlled code when viewing their saved searches. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines the weakness of Cross-Site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0152 require immediate firmware updates to version 2.5.0.2 or later, as this represents the official patch provided by IBM to address the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, ensuring that only authorized administrative personnel can reach the appliance's web interface. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application, with all user-supplied parameters properly sanitized before being incorporated into web responses. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in management interface access, particularly around the identified vulnerable parameters. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against XSS attacks targeting these specific parameters. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and demonstrates how legacy systems can become vulnerable to exploitation when security patches are not properly applied, making this case study relevant for organizations managing industrial control systems and security appliances that require regular maintenance and update procedures.