CVE-2010-2088 in ASP.NET
Summary
by MITRE
ASP.NET in Microsoft .NET 3.5 does not properly handle an unencrypted view state, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against the form control via the __VIEWSTATE parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2088 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft's ASP.NET framework affecting .NET 3.5 implementations. This issue stems from the improper handling of unencrypted view state data within web applications, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the __VIEWSTATE parameter which is a critical component in ASP.NET web forms architecture used to maintain state information between postbacks.
The technical flaw manifests when ASP.NET applications fail to adequately encrypt or validate view state data, allowing attackers to manipulate the __VIEWSTATE parameter through crafted malicious input. This unencrypted view state can contain serialized control state information that, when improperly handled, becomes executable code when processed by the web application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data that gets reflected back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS attacks, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated method to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users' browsers. This creates a significant risk for applications that handle sensitive data or perform privileged operations, as the attacker can potentially escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or perform actions on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring complex attack chains or specific user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves enabling ViewState encryption through the web.config file using the <pages enableViewStateMac="true" viewStateEncryptionMode="Auto" /> configuration settings. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being executed as scripts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the XSS vector to execute malicious scripts within user browsers. Furthermore, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security testing can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations must also ensure that their ASP.NET applications are properly configured with secure default settings and that all available security patches are applied to prevent successful exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.