CVE-2011-5283 in Smoothwall
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web management interface in httpd/cgi-bin/ipinfo.cgi in Smoothwall Express 3.1 and 3.0 SP3 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the IP parameter in a Run action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The CVE-2011-5283 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web management interface of Smoothwall Express versions 3.1 and 3.0 SP3 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the httpd/cgi-bin/ipinfo.cgi script which handles IP parameter inputs during Run actions. The flaw exists in the web interface's input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code directly into the application's response. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS weakness where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating a persistent security risk for administrators who interact with the management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the IP parameter within the Run action context of the ipinfo.cgi script. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code and submits it through this parameter, the web application fails to validate or escape the input before processing it. This allows the injected code to execute within the browser context of any administrator who views the affected page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that operates through web interface parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. Administrators who regularly access the Smoothwall Express management interface become targets for session manipulation attacks, where attackers can steal administrative credentials or establish persistent access to the firewall system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through the web interface. The compromised firewall system could then serve as a launching point for internal network reconnaissance, lateral movement, or denial of service attacks against other network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5283 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Smoothwall Express versions, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application. Organizations should enforce strict parameter validation for all user inputs, particularly those used in administrative interfaces, and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution. Additionally, network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced for administrative interfaces, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments of web applications and network devices should include vulnerability scanning for similar input validation flaws, as this represents a common pattern of weakness that attackers frequently target in enterprise environments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and sensitive network configuration data.