CVE-2010-2290 in Unified Threat Management Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in cgi-bin/cgix/help in McAfee Unified Threat Management (UTM) Firewall (formerly SnapGear) firmware 3.0.0 through 4.0.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2017
The CVE-2010-2290 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the McAfee Unified Threat Management firewall firmware versions 3.0.0 through 4.0.6. This vulnerability specifically affects the cgi-bin/cgix/help component of the web interface, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application security weaknesses. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data within the page parameter. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the page parameter in the help functionality of the McAfee UTM firewall interface. The flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected help pages. This type of vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector where malicious code can be stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access the vulnerable help functionality. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious input that bypasses existing security controls, which then gets processed and rendered without proper sanitization, leading to code execution in victim browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, deface web interfaces, or redirect users to malicious sites. Given that the McAfee UTM firewall serves as a critical network security device, the compromise of its web interface could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to internal network resources. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on this specific firmware version, potentially exposing them to advanced persistent threats where attackers can maintain long-term access through the compromised web interface. This represents a significant concern for enterprise security posture as it undermines the integrity of the firewall's administrative interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2290 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at the web application level, including proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring for suspicious web requests and user behavior patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to web application exploitation and credential access, making it a critical target for security teams to address. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network security devices and web applications within the organization's infrastructure.