CVE-2011-3606 in JBoss Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
A DOM based cross-site scripting flaw was found in the JBoss Application Server 7 before 7.1.0 Beta 1 administration console. A remote attacker could provide a specially-crafted web page and trick the valid JBoss AS user, with the administrator privilege, to visit it, which would lead into the DOM environment modification and arbitrary HTML or web script execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3606 represents a critical DOM-based cross-site scripting flaw within the JBoss Application Server 7 administration console. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 7.1.0 Beta 1 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the server handles user input within its web interface. The flaw exists in the client-side DOM manipulation mechanisms that process administrative console interactions, creating an attack surface where malicious input can be executed within the context of an authenticated administrator session. The security implications are particularly severe given that the targeted users possess administrative privileges, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the DOM environment of the JBoss AS 7 administration console. When an administrator visits a maliciously crafted web page, the flaw allows the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code within the browser context of the administrative interface. This occurs because the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic DOM elements. The vulnerability operates entirely within the browser's DOM environment rather than server-side processing, making it a classic example of DOM-based XSS that leverages the browser's interpretation of dynamic content rather than traditional server-side injection vectors. This classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in input validation and output encoding contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected JBoss servers. An attacker who successfully tricks an administrator into visiting a malicious page could execute arbitrary commands, modify server configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to full system compromise. The attack requires social engineering to convince an authenticated administrator to visit the malicious page, but once successful, the consequences are catastrophic. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate administrative sessions to achieve unauthorized access and control. The risk is compounded by the fact that the administrative console is typically accessible from the internet, making it a prime target for remote exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3606 primarily focus on upgrading to JBoss Application Server 7.1.0 Beta 1 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and DOM sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including strict input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy implementations to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities across all web applications. Network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure of administrative consoles to trusted networks only. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be implemented to prevent successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, as the attack vector relies heavily on tricking administrators into visiting malicious pages. The remediation process should also include thorough code reviews and security testing of all DOM manipulation functions to ensure proper sanitization of user inputs before dynamic content generation.