CVE-2010-2265 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the GetServerName function in sysinfo/commonFunc.js in Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the svr parameter to sysinfo/sysinfomain.htm. NOTE: this can be leveraged with CVE-2010-1885 to execute arbitrary commands without user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2265 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center components targeting Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems. This vulnerability exists in the GetServerName function located within the sysinfo/commonFunc.js file, which is part of the web-based system information interface. The flaw manifests when the svr parameter passed to sysinfo/sysinfomain.htm is not properly sanitized, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, where the Help and Support Center component remains active and accessible. This XSS vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users interact with system information interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established XSS pattern where user-supplied input flows directly into the web response without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The svr parameter serves as the injection vector, allowing attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of the victim's browser session. When a user visits the vulnerable page with malicious input in the svr parameter, the injected script runs in the browser with the privileges of the Help and Support Center application, potentially compromising the user's session and system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web content. This weakness creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate web content and execute unauthorized operations within the user's browser environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2265 extends beyond simple XSS execution, particularly when combined with CVE-2010-1885 as noted in the vulnerability description. The combination of these vulnerabilities creates a powerful attack chain that enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction, transforming what might initially appear as a client-side scripting issue into a serious system compromise vector. Attackers can leverage this combination to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems, potentially gaining full control over the affected machines. The vulnerability affects systems where the Help and Support Center component is accessible over the web, which includes many enterprise environments where these legacy systems remain operational. The impact is particularly severe in corporate environments where users may have elevated privileges, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to organizations maintaining legacy Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems, which often lack modern security controls and are more susceptible to such exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2265 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term remediation approaches. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding for all parameters processed by the Help and Support Center component, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as executable code. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the relevant Microsoft security patches that address this specific vulnerability, though many organizations may be unable to patch legacy systems due to compatibility concerns. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider disabling or restricting access to the Help and Support Center web interface when it is not actively required for system administration tasks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers would typically use this vulnerability as part of broader attack chains involving social engineering or direct web-based exploitation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious activity involving the sysinfo directory and related web components, as this vulnerability often serves as an initial access vector for more sophisticated attacks.