CVE-2011-0459 in Password Vault Web Access
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cyber-Ark Password Vault Web Access (PVWA) 5.0 and earlier, 5.5 through 5.5 patch 4, and 6.0 through 6.0 patch 2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The CVE-2011-0459 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Cyber-Ark Password Vault Web Access (PVWA) platform, affecting multiple versions including 5.0 and earlier, 5.5 through 5.5 patch 4, and 6.0 through 6.0 patch 2. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web access component of the password vault system, which serves as the primary interface for administrators and users to interact with the centralized password management infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code into the vulnerable application. This injection capability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the PVWA web interface. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who visit affected pages. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for environments where the PVWA serves as a central access point for privileged account management. The attack vector typically involves manipulating parameters or input fields within the web application that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the password vault environment. Given that PVWA systems typically manage highly sensitive privileged credentials, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to critical network resources, database systems, and administrative accounts. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates a persistent flaw in the application's security architecture that required patching across different release lines. This cross-site scripting vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can compromise the integrity of the entire password management ecosystem.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions. The mitigation strategy must include input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and comprehensive web application firewall rules to detect and block malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, along with regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through web application attacks and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in privileged access management systems. The affected PVWA environment represents a high-value target for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise networks through compromised privileged credentials, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with robust security postures.