CVE-2010-2914 in Web Server plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in nessusd_www_server.nbin in the Nessus Web Server plugin 1.2.4 for Nessus allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2914 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Nessus Web Server plugin component, specifically in the nessusd_www_server.nbin module version 1.2.4. This weakness resides in the core web server functionality of Nessus, a widely used network vulnerability scanning tool that enables organizations to identify security weaknesses in their IT infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the web interface that administrators and users interact with when managing Nessus scans and reviewing security assessments, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of Nessus.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web server plugin's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access affected pages. This typically occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided parameters before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability manifests as a classic XSS flaw that can be categorized under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the browser context of authenticated users. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially access administrative interfaces, steal session cookies, modify web page content, or conduct phishing attacks against other users of the Nessus web interface. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the web server component that serves as the primary interface for Nessus management, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking to compromise security assessment infrastructure.
Organizations using vulnerable versions of Nessus face significant risks when this vulnerability is exploited, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive vulnerability scan data, compromise the integrity of security assessments, or even use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Nessus is accessible from untrusted networks or where administrators have broad access rights. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing, as the malicious scripts could be used to craft convincing phishing attacks against internal users, and T1071 - Application Layer Protocol, since the exploitation occurs through standard web protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2914 should include immediate patching of Nessus installations to versions that address the XSS vulnerability in the web server plugin, typically through official updates provided by Tenable, the company that develops Nessus. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding measures within their web applications, including the use of Content Security Policy headers to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the Nessus web interface to trusted networks only, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Additionally, administrators should monitor for suspicious activity in Nessus logs and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security tools and implementing robust security practices to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in critical infrastructure components.