CVE-2011-0280 in Power Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in HP Power Manager (HPPM) 4.3.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the logType parameter to Contents/exportlogs.asp, (2) the Id parameter to Contents/pagehelp.asp, or the (3) SORTORD or (4) SORTCOL parameter to Contents/applicationlogs.asp. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0280 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in HP Power Manager version 4.3.2 and earlier systems. This flaw resides within the web-based administrative interface of the HP Power Manager software, which is designed to monitor and manage power consumption across enterprise environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's web handlers, specifically affecting three distinct endpoints that process user-supplied parameters without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through four distinct parameter injection points within the application's web interface. The first vector involves the logType parameter in Contents/exportlogs.asp, where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The second vulnerability exists in Contents/pagehelp.asp through the Id parameter, while the third and fourth vectors target Contents/applicationlogs.asp through the SORTORD and SORTCOL parameters respectively. These parameters are typically used for sorting and filtering log data within the application's interface, making them prime targets for injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the victim's browser context. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify page content, or even execute arbitrary commands if the application has elevated privileges. Given that HP Power Manager is often deployed in enterprise environments where it may have administrative access to power management systems, the potential for lateral movement and privilege escalation increases significantly. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain secure communication channels and can compromise the integrity of power management data.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles established in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations utilizing HP Power Manager versions prior to 4.3.3 should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization, parameter validation, and web application firewall rules to prevent exploitation of these vectors.
The remediation approach for CVE-2011-0280 requires immediate patching of the HP Power Manager software to version 4.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation mechanisms at all entry points to prevent malicious data from being processed by the application. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security training for administrators to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering or other attack vectors.