CVE-2013-4884 in Superscan
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in McAfee SuperScan 4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via UTF-7 encoded sequences in a server response, which is not properly handled in the SuperScan HTML report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The CVE-2013-4884 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in McAfee SuperScan 4.0 that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within victim browsers. This vulnerability specifically targets the HTML report generation functionality of the security scanning tool, creating a dangerous attack vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to further system exploitation. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of server responses that contain UTF-7 encoded sequences, which are not properly handled during the report rendering process. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject malicious code into web pages viewed by other users. The attack scenario involves an attacker manipulating server responses to include UTF-7 encoded content that, when processed by SuperScan's HTML report generator, executes unintended JavaScript code within the victim's browser context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way SuperScan processes UTF-7 encoded data in server responses during scan result generation. UTF-7 encoding is a character encoding scheme that allows Unicode characters to be represented using ASCII characters, but when improperly handled, it can create opportunities for attackers to bypass security controls. The vulnerability occurs because the SuperScan application fails to properly decode or sanitize UTF-7 encoded sequences before incorporating them into HTML reports, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute when users view the generated reports. This type of attack maps directly to the ATT&CK technique T1059.006 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it involves the execution of malicious code through web-based interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input handling where the application assumes all input is safe without proper validation or encoding checks, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute additional attacks through the compromised browser sessions. When users view the malicious HTML reports generated by SuperScan, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which could include keyloggers, credential stealers, or commands to establish reverse shells. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on McAfee SuperScan for network security assessments, as the tool's HTML reporting functionality becomes a potential attack surface for adversaries. The risk is amplified because SuperScan is typically used in enterprise environments where security professionals generate reports for review by various stakeholders, making the attack vector highly relevant in real-world scenarios. Organizations using this tool face significant exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges or direct system access, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in security tooling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4884 should focus on immediate patching of McAfee SuperScan 4.0 to address the UTF-7 encoding handling issue, along with implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should consider disabling HTML report generation temporarily while patches are applied, or implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious UTF-7 sequences in HTTP responses. The solution involves ensuring that all input data, particularly from external sources, is properly encoded or sanitized before being incorporated into HTML content. Security teams should also implement regular security assessments of their security tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper encoding handling in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of XSS vulnerabilities in web applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies and regular security training to help personnel recognize and respond to potential exploitation attempts involving web-based vulnerabilities.