CVE-2010-4828 in Orion Network Performance Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor (NPM) 10.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Title parameter to MapView.aspx; NetObject parameter to (2) NodeDetails.aspx and (3) InterfaceDetails.aspx; and the (4) ChartName parameter to CustomChart.aspx.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4828 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor version 10.1. This security weakness exposes the monitoring platform to remote code execution through malicious web script injection, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure that relies on this monitoring solution. The vulnerability impacts multiple endpoints within the application's web interface, creating multiple attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network data and potentially escalate their privileges within the monitored environment.
The technical exploitation occurs through four distinct parameters across different web pages within the SolarWinds Orion NPM interface. The first vector involves the Title parameter in MapView.aspx where unvalidated user input is directly reflected back to the browser without proper sanitization or encoding. Similarly, the NetObject parameter in NodeDetails.aspx and InterfaceDetails.aspx presents identical vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts through these input fields. The fourth vector targets the ChartName parameter in CustomChart.aspx, which suffers from the same input validation deficiencies. These flaws align with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to network monitoring data and potentially manipulate critical infrastructure information. An attacker could leverage these XSS vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even inject additional malware that could compromise the underlying network monitoring infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe given that SolarWinds Orion NPM is widely deployed in enterprise environments where network monitoring data is considered sensitive and critical for operational security. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and performance metrics that would otherwise remain protected within the secure monitoring environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4828 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding across all affected parameters within the SolarWinds Orion NPM application. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts targeting these specific parameters. The recommended approach includes deploying proper HTML encoding for all user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, implementing strict content security policies, and ensuring that all input fields undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted network segments. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management procedures, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks within enterprise monitoring platforms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the initial exploitation vector and potential post-compromise activities that could arise from such persistent access to network monitoring data.