CVE-2011-0767 in SecureSphere Web Application Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management GUI in the MX Management Server in Imperva SecureSphere Web Application Firewall 6.2, 7.x, and 8.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an HTTP request to a firewalled server, aka Bug ID 31759.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The CVE-2011-0767 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the management graphical user interface of Imperva SecureSphere Web Application Firewall versions 6.2, 7.x, and 8.x. This vulnerability resides in the MX Management Server component that serves as the administrative interface for configuring and managing the web application firewall. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the management console, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this protection mechanism. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of HTTP requests directed to firewalled servers, where the management interface fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within the web interface.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the management GUI components. When administrators or authorized users access the management interface to monitor or configure firewall rules, the system processes HTTP request parameters without sufficient sanitization. This allows malicious actors to inject script code through crafted HTTP requests that are then executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, where the system fails to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. The attack vector operates through the management interface itself, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the administrative controls rather than the protected web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0767 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal administrative sessions, or manipulate firewall configurations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the management interface, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web application firewall's protective capabilities. This could result in the ability to bypass security controls, modify firewall rules, or even redirect traffic through malicious configurations. The vulnerability affects organizations using Imperva SecureSphere versions 6.2, 7.x, and 8.x, representing a substantial attack surface for threat actors who may target the management interfaces of these security appliances. The impact is particularly severe because it undermines the very foundation of the security solution, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over critical network protection mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches released for this vulnerability, implementing additional input validation controls, and considering network segmentation to limit access to the management interface. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and credential access, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to move laterally within the network through administrative access. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls specifically designed to detect and block XSS attacks, conducting regular security assessments of management interfaces, and establishing strict access controls for administrative accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing administrative interfaces and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all application components, particularly those handling user-controllable data in web-based management systems.