CVE-2010-0703 in SSL VPN
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in wa/auth in PortWise SSL VPN 4.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the reloadFrame parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The CVE-2010-0703 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw located within the authentication module of PortWise SSL VPN version 4.6. This vulnerability specifically affects the wa/auth component and exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious web script injection. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the reloadFrame parameter, creating an exploitable vector for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability exists in the web application layer of the SSL VPN solution, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external networks without requiring authentication.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the PortWise SSL VPN authentication framework. When the reloadFrame parameter is processed, the application does not adequately escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows an attacker to inject malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised page. The vulnerability follows the common pattern of reflected XSS attacks where malicious input is immediately reflected back in the application's response without proper sanitization. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that permits attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0703 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire SSL VPN infrastructure. An attacker could potentially steal user sessions, access restricted network resources, or redirect users to malicious websites that appear legitimate within the VPN environment. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of SSL VPN solutions, which are designed to provide secure remote access to corporate networks. In enterprise environments where SSL VPNs serve as primary access mechanisms for remote workers, this flaw could enable lateral movement within the network, data exfiltration, and persistent access to sensitive systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in the authentication module, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely or manipulate user sessions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the PortWise SSL VPN application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like reloadFrame, through proper HTML escaping and character encoding techniques. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1566, this vulnerability represents a pre-attack vector that could be leveraged for initial access, making it crucial to address promptly. The recommended remediation includes updating to the latest version of PortWise SSL VPN that contains patches for this specific vulnerability, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting thorough security assessments of all web applications within the VPN infrastructure. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.