CVE-2011-4805 in Crystal Reports Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in pubDBLogon.jsp in SAP Crystal Report Server 2008 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the service parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4805 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within SAP Crystal Report Server 2008, specifically affecting the pubDBLogon.jsp component. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through the service parameter. The flaw exists in the server's input validation mechanisms, failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing and rendering it within the web interface. Such a vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principles of input validation and output encoding that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the service parameter in the pubDBLogon.jsp file, which serves as a login and authentication interface for the Crystal Report Server. When the server processes user input through this parameter without adequate filtering or encoding, it creates an opening for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated sessions. This flaw operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4805 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors that leverage the compromised server for further exploitation. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed, can steal cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, or even establish persistent backdoors within the reporting environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using SAP Crystal Report Server 2008, which was widely deployed for business intelligence and reporting purposes, making the potential attack surface significant. This flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive business data that the reporting server typically manages and displays.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization within the affected application components. The recommended approach involves applying SAP security patches and updates as provided in the SAP Security Notes, which address the root cause of the vulnerability by implementing proper input validation and sanitization procedures. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks including phishing and malicious web content, emphasizing the importance of web application security controls. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their SAP environments to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper security configurations are in place to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.