CVE-2011-5184 in Network Node Manager i
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in HP Network Node Manager i 9.10 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) node parameter to nnm/mibdiscover; (2) nodename parameter to nnm/protected/configurationpoll.jsp, (3) nnm/protected/ping.jsp, (4) nnm/protected/statuspoll.jsp, or (5) nnm/protected/traceroute.jsp; or (6) field parameter to nmm/validate. NOTE: this might be a duplicate of CVE-2011-4155 or CVE-2011-4156.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5184 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting HP Network Node Manager i version 9.10, a widely used network management solution. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within multiple web endpoints of the application, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote adversaries. The affected parameters include node, nodename, and field across various jsp pages within the protected sections of the application, making this a particularly dangerous flaw due to its widespread impact across different functional modules of the network management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into the application's web interface. Attackers can manipulate the node parameter in the mibdiscover endpoint or the nodename parameter across multiple protected jsp pages including configurationpoll.jsp, ping.jsp, statuspoll.jsp, and traceroute.jsp, as well as the field parameter in the nmm/validate endpoint. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further network compromise. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the network management environment. An attacker who successfully exploits these vulnerabilities could gain unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration data, manipulate monitoring results, or potentially escalate privileges within the network management system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these endpoints are part of the protected sections of the application, suggesting that legitimate users with appropriate credentials might be at risk if their sessions are compromised. This vulnerability can facilitate persistent threats where attackers establish footholds within the network monitoring infrastructure, potentially enabling long-term surveillance of network activities and device configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5184 should focus on immediate input validation and output encoding implementations across all affected endpoints. Organizations should implement comprehensive parameter sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters in all user-supplied input before processing. The recommended approach includes applying the principle of least privilege by restricting access to these endpoints and implementing proper content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Additionally, the vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages should prompt organizations to enhance their monitoring of suspicious script execution patterns. Regular security updates and patches from HP should be implemented immediately, while network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's potential duplication with CVE-2011-4155 or CVE-2011-4156 suggests that comprehensive vulnerability management practices should be employed to ensure all related flaws are addressed through coordinated patching efforts.