CVE-2012-2008 in Performance Insight
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HP Performance Insight for Networks 5.3.x, 5.41, 5.41.001, and 5.41.002 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2018
The CVE-2012-2008 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within HP Performance Insight for Networks software versions 5.3.x through 5.41.002. This vulnerability exposes organizations to significant security risks as it enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content within the context of affected systems. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework, allowing malicious actors to inject harmful code through unspecified attack vectors that manipulate user sessions and data integrity.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a classic reflected XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected through user-controllable input fields or parameters. The attack typically occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating opportunities for attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability impacts the web-based administration interface of HP Performance Insight for Networks, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise the entire monitoring infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2008 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to manipulate network performance data, potentially leading to false security alerts or complete system compromise. Organizations relying on HP Performance Insight for Networks for critical infrastructure monitoring face risks of unauthorized access to network performance metrics, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or API endpoints that accept user input without proper sanitization.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for command and script injection, and T1566 for social engineering attacks that leverage XSS vulnerabilities. The attack surface is broad as it affects multiple versions of the HP Performance Insight for Networks software, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management processes, as the affected versions represent outdated software that no longer receives security support from HP. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of web application traffic can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while user education about suspicious web content remains crucial in preventing successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability.