CVE-2011-3206 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the administration interface in RHQ 4.2.0, as used in JBoss Operations Network (aka JON or JBoss ON) before 3.0, allow 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3206 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the administration interface of RHQ 4.2.0, which was subsequently integrated into JBoss Operations Network versions prior to 3.0. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the administrative components of the platform that manage operations for JBoss applications. The flaw exists within the web interface that system administrators use to configure and monitor their JBoss environments, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to privileged administrative functions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the administrative interface components of JBoss ON. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors that are not clearly defined in the original CVE description. These vectors likely involve parameters or input fields within the administration console that do not properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser. The lack of proper sanitization allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of other users' browser sessions, potentially compromising the entire administrative environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3206 is severe and multifaceted, as it directly compromises the security of JBoss Operations Network installations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute malicious scripts in the browser of any user who accesses the compromised administrative interface, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of sensitive operational data but also the integrity and availability of the monitoring and management infrastructure. Given that JBoss ON is designed to manage critical enterprise applications, the compromise of its administrative interface could result in complete system takeover, allowing attackers to manipulate monitored applications, view sensitive configuration data, or even disable monitoring capabilities entirely.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to establish persistent access within enterprise environments. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for credential access through web application attacks. Organizations using JBoss ON versions prior to 3.0 were particularly vulnerable as the administrative interface served as the primary entry point for attackers seeking to compromise their JBoss environments. The vulnerability's persistence and potential for lateral movement within the network make it a significant concern for enterprise security teams managing complex JBoss deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3206 involve immediate patching of affected JBoss ON installations to version 3.0 or later, which contained the necessary security fixes for the XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout their web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only trusted users and implementing additional authentication mechanisms. Regular security assessments and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches for all components of their JBoss ON environments, as this vulnerability represents a pattern of insecure input handling that could potentially affect other components of the platform.