CVE-2012-2278 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the (1) Self-Service Console and (2) Security Console in EMC RSA Authentication Manager 7.1 before SP4 P14 and RSA SecurID Appliance 3.0 before SP4 P14 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2018
The CVE-2012-2278 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting EMC RSA Authentication Manager 7.1 before SP4 P14 and RSA SecurID Appliance 3.0 before SP4 P14. This vulnerability exists within the Self-Service Console and Security Console components of these authentication platforms, which are fundamental elements in enterprise security infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web interfaces. These consoles serve as primary administrative interfaces for managing authentication policies, user accounts, and security configurations, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit weaknesses in the authentication ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that likely encompass various input fields within the web-based administrative interfaces. Attackers can leverage these vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Cross-Site Scripting, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications. This flaw allows for persistent or reflected XSS attacks, where malicious payloads can be stored in the application's database or delivered through crafted URLs that trigger execution when users navigate to affected pages. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these interfaces typically require elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation could lead to full administrative control over the authentication infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2278 extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the authentication platform. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive user data, modify authentication policies, and gain unauthorized access to protected systems. The attack vector operates through the principle of trust, where authenticated users are unknowingly exposed to malicious content that executes with their privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and represents a significant risk to the integrity of the authentication system. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where these platforms manage critical access controls for multiple applications and systems, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2278 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest service packs and security updates provided by EMC. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all web interfaces, particularly within administrative consoles where user input is processed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTML escaping mechanisms should be enforced to prevent script execution. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior in authentication console access patterns, as these interfaces often represent high-value targets in attack scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other authentication and management interfaces within their infrastructure.