CVE-2011-1825 in Arcot WebFort Versatile Authentication Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Administrative Console in CA Arcot WebFort Versatile Authentication Server (VAS) before 6.2.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1825 represents a critical security flaw in the CA Arcot WebFort Versatile Authentication Server administrative console, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.2.5. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of the administrative interface. The affected system operates as a versatile authentication server that provides enterprise-level security solutions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its authentication capabilities. The administrative console serves as the primary management interface for configuring and monitoring the authentication server, creating a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise the entire authentication infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the administrative console's web interface. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's response, allowing them to execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where the application fails to properly validate or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local access or credentials to the system, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of the authentication server. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, modify authentication policies, create new user accounts, or even gain access to sensitive authentication data and credentials stored within the system. This represents a serious threat to the integrity and confidentiality of the authentication infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative console means that any authenticated user could potentially become a vector for further attacks, creating a chain reaction that could compromise the entire authentication ecosystem.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to CA Arcot WebFort VAS version 6.2.5 or later, which includes patches addressing these XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface can help mitigate similar issues in the future. Security professionals should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all administrative interfaces within their environment, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader security gaps in web application development practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of securing externally accessible administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of administrative consoles to only necessary personnel, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security testing and code reviews focused on input validation and output encoding practices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software.