CVE-2012-3251 in Service Center Web Tier
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HP Service Manager Web Tier 7.11, 9.21, and 9.30, and HP Service Center Web Tier 6.28, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2018
The CVE-2012-3251 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of HP Service Manager and HP Service Center web applications. This vulnerability resides within the web tier components of these enterprise service management platforms, specifically impacting versions 7.11, 9.21, and 9.30 for HP Service Manager, along with version 6.28 for HP Service Center. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these platforms for critical business operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web application's user interface components. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content into web pages that are subsequently rendered to legitimate users. This occurs when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being displayed in web responses, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3251 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive data, redirect users to malicious websites, or even escalate privileges within the application. Organizations utilizing these HP service management platforms face potential exposure to credential theft, data manipulation, and unauthorized access to service management workflows. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers do not require physical access to the network or application servers, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications handle sensitive business and operational data.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability directly maps to tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Persistence' phases, where attackers can leverage XSS to establish footholds within targeted environments. The flaw's presence in multiple versions of HP Service Manager and Service Center indicates a widespread issue affecting organizations across various industries. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official HP security patches, implement input validation controls, and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, regular security assessments and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.