CVE-2012-4983 in CounterACT
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities on the Forescout CounterACT NAC device before 7.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the a parameter to assets/login or (2) the query parameter to assets/rangesearch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2019
The CVE-2012-4983 vulnerability affects the Forescout CounterACT Network Access Control device, specifically versions prior to 7.0, presenting multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content. This vulnerability resides within the device's web interface authentication and search functionality, creating a significant security risk for network access control systems that rely on the affected platform. The flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit input validation weaknesses in the device's web application layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the CounterACT device's web interface components. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability through two primary pathways: the first occurs when manipulating the 'a' parameter in the assets/login endpoint, while the second targets the 'query' parameter in the assets/rangesearch endpoint. Both attack vectors demonstrate poor secure coding practices where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. This weakness allows malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of other users' browsers who interact with the compromised device.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4983 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the network access control environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the browser context of authenticated users. Given that CounterACT devices typically operate in security-critical network environments, this vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, escalate privileges, or compromise the integrity of the entire network access control system. The vulnerability affects the device's authentication and search functionalities, which are fundamental components of network security operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of firmware updates to version 7.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the input validation flaws. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected devices to untrusted networks. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to serious security consequences. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through malicious web content, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such flaws to establish initial access or maintain persistence within target networks.