CVE-2011-0550 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Web Interface in the Endpoint Protection Manager in Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) 11.0.600x through 11.0.6300 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the token parameter to portal/Help.jsp or (2) the URI in a console/apps/sepm request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0550 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Symantec Endpoint Protection's Web Interface, specifically affecting versions 11.0.600x through 11.0.6300 of the Endpoint Protection Manager. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and monitor endpoint security policies across enterprise networks. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that exploit insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's response handling. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the web interface, potentially compromising the security of administrators who interact with the management console.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the web application's request processing pipeline. The first vector involves the token parameter in the portal/Help.jsp endpoint, while the second vector targets the URI parameter within console/apps/sepm requests. These attack surfaces demonstrate a classic XSS vulnerability pattern where the application fails to properly escape or validate input data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The attack occurs at the application layer where user input is directly reflected in the web response without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the enterprise environment. An attacker who successfully exploits either vector can execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session, potentially leading to full administrative control over the Endpoint Protection Manager. This could enable attackers to modify security policies, disable protection mechanisms, access sensitive configuration data, or even exfiltrate information from the management console. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the centralized management interface that controls security policies for all endpoints in the organization, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment', as it enables attackers to deliver malicious scripts through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0550 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Symantec Endpoint Protection versions, with administrators upgrading to patched releases that implement proper input validation and output encoding controls. Organizations should also implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application. The remediation process must include comprehensive input validation that treats all user-supplied data as untrusted and applies appropriate encoding techniques before rendering content in web responses. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other web applications and ensure that proper security controls are in place. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to limit script execution capabilities, monitoring web application logs for suspicious activity patterns, and conducting regular security training for administrators to recognize potential phishing attempts that might exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web application security, particularly for management interfaces that handle sensitive administrative functions and have elevated privileges within enterprise environments.