CVE-2012-2577 in Orion Network Performance Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor (NPM) before 10.3.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) syslocation, (2) syscontact, or (3) sysName field of an snmpd.conf file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2577 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in SolarWinds Orion Network Performance Monitor version 10.3.1 and earlier. This flaw exists within the SNMP configuration handling mechanism where the system fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the snmpd.conf file. The vulnerability specifically affects three distinct fields: syslocation, syscontact, and sysName, which are standard SNMP system identification parameters that network administrators commonly configure. These fields are processed by the Orion NPM application without adequate input validation or output encoding, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to gain access to the SNMP configuration interface or to upload a malicious snmpd.conf file containing crafted payloads in the affected fields. When the Orion NPM application processes these unvalidated inputs and displays them in web interfaces without proper HTML escaping, the injected scripts execute within the context of authenticated user sessions. This creates a persistent threat where malicious code can be executed whenever the affected system information is rendered in web-based monitoring interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate input validation and output encoding. The attack vector is particularly concerning because SNMP configuration is a routine administrative task, making the attack surface more accessible to potential threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access points within the network monitoring infrastructure. Once successfully exploited, attackers can potentially hijack user sessions, steal sensitive monitoring data, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear to be legitimate network management interfaces. The vulnerability undermines the integrity of the Orion NPM monitoring system by allowing unauthorized modifications to system identification data that could be used to mask malicious activities or create confusion within the network management environment. This represents a significant threat to network security operations since Orion NPM systems typically contain sensitive network topology and performance data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability also violates several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as the malicious scripts could be used to harvest credentials or deliver additional payloads.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the patch released by SolarWinds for version 10.3.1 and ensure all instances of the Orion NPM application are updated to prevent exploitation. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unauthorized changes to SNMP configuration files and establish network segmentation to limit access to sensitive monitoring systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include input validation, regular security assessments, and comprehensive patch management processes. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and enhanced logging mechanisms to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other network management tools. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and the importance of validating all user inputs, particularly in applications that handle configuration data and present information through web interfaces.