CVE-2011-4523 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in bwview.asp in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4523 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess software suite, specifically affecting the bwview.asp component prior to version 7.0. This issue falls under the broader category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability exists in the web interface of the industrial automation and monitoring platform, which is commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments where security is paramount.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified parameters within the bwview.asp script, allowing remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. This type of injection vulnerability typically arises when web applications fail to properly validate, sanitize, or encode user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The lack of proper input validation means that malicious actors can craft specially crafted URLs or form submissions that, when processed by the vulnerable web application, execute unintended code within the victim's browser context. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial control systems where WebAccess is deployed, as it could potentially be leveraged to compromise the entire monitoring and control infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it represents a significant security risk in industrial environments where WebAccess is used for critical infrastructure monitoring and control. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or even manipulate the data displayed in the web interface to mislead operators about the true state of industrial processes. The implications are particularly severe given that WebAccess is designed for use in industrial automation environments where the integrity of monitoring data is crucial for operational safety and security. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, potentially leading to disruptions in critical processes or even physical safety risks in industrial settings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 7.0 or later of Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the issue. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed in web interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable web interface to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system environments, following industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments where legacy systems may contain unpatched vulnerabilities that could be exploited by threat actors.