CVE-2010-2084 in ASP.NET
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 does not prevent setting the InnerHtml property on a control that inherits from HtmlContainerControl, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via vectors related to an attribute.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2021
Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability documented as CVE-2010-2084 that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the HtmlContainerControl class hierarchy. This vulnerability specifically affects the InnerHtml property which can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The flaw exists because the framework fails to properly sanitize or validate attribute values when setting the InnerHtml property on controls that inherit from HtmlContainerControl, creating an exploitable condition that enables attackers to bypass standard security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of HTML attribute values within the ASP.NET rendering pipeline. When an attacker can manipulate an attribute value that gets processed through the InnerHtml property, they can inject script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the HtmlContainerControl class does not perform adequate sanitization of attribute values before incorporating them into the HTML output, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed. The vulnerability operates at the presentation layer where user input is rendered into HTML content without proper escaping or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2084 is significant as it enables attackers to perform persistent cross-site scripting attacks against users of vulnerable applications. Attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the ASP.NET framework, gets stored in the application's data structures and subsequently rendered to other users. This creates a vector for session hijacking, credential theft, and the execution of arbitrary code in victim browsers. The vulnerability affects web applications built on ASP.NET 2.0 that utilize HtmlContainerControl or its derivatives, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise applications that rely on this framework version.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including input validation at multiple points in the application lifecycle and proper HTML encoding of all user-supplied content. The mitigation strategy should incorporate the principle of least privilege by ensuring that only necessary attributes can be set through the InnerHtml property. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security scanning to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider upgrading to supported versions of ASP.NET that have addressed this issue, as Microsoft has released patches and updates to resolve the underlying security flaw in subsequent releases.