CVE-2012-5176 in ACCESS REPORT
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in KENT-WEB ACCESS REPORT 5.02 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to tag embedding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2018
The CVE-2012-5176 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in KENT-WEB ACCESS REPORT version 5.02 and earlier systems. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input during tag embedding operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The affected system processes web access reports and likely handles various input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can inject malicious scripts through carefully crafted input vectors that involve tag embedding functionality. This typically involves inserting malicious HTML or JavaScript code within parameters that are then processed and displayed in web interfaces. The flaw exists because the application does not adequately validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute scripts in the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core reporting functionality of the application, meaning that any user interacting with access reports could be exposed to malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5176 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks within the application's security context. When successful, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate privileges within the application's environment. The attack surface is particularly wide since access reporting systems often handle sensitive data and may be accessed by multiple user roles with varying permission levels. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, modify access control settings, or even inject backdoors into the system. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and the possibility of establishing persistent access within the network. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves credential access through social engineering, as attackers can use XSS to obtain session tokens and user credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5176 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly in areas handling tag embedding operations. This includes sanitizing all user inputs using established libraries and frameworks designed to prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the affected KENT-WEB ACCESS REPORT systems should be updated to versions that contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection against known XSS attack patterns, while comprehensive security training for developers can help prevent similar flaws in future code development cycles.