CVE-2013-5300 in Open Source Security Information Management
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) before 4.3.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the withoutmenu parameter to (1) vulnmeter/index.php or (2) vulnmeter/sched.php; the (3) section parameter to av_inventory/task_edit.php; the (4) profile parameter to nfsen/rrdgraph.php; or the (5) scan_server or (6) targets parameter to vulnmeter/simulate.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The CVE-2013-5300 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) versions prior to 4.3.0. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface of the security information and event management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for network security monitoring and threat detection. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within several key web scripts that process user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they affect core administrative functions that security teams rely upon for monitoring and managing network security operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that all share the common weakness of improper parameter handling. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through specific parameters in various web endpoints. The first vector involves the withoutmenu parameter in vulnmeter/index.php and vulnmeter/sched.php, while the second uses the section parameter in av_inventory/task_edit.php. Additional attack surfaces include the profile parameter in nfsen/rrdgraph.php and the scan_server or targets parameters in vulnmeter/simulate.php. These parameters are typically used for navigation, configuration, and security scanning functions within the OSSIM platform, making them prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows malicious input to be executed as client-side scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using affected OSSIM versions, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic network access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can reach the OSSIM web interface. Security teams using OSSIM for critical monitoring functions face potential data exfiltration and system compromise, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to gain persistent access to network security infrastructure. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to complete system compromise, especially if attackers can leverage the administrative capabilities of the platform to modify security policies or access sensitive network data. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance issues if this vulnerability results in unauthorized access to protected information.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to OSSIM version 4.3.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this represents the official patch release addressing these XSS flaws. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation measures can provide temporary protection while upgrades are pending. Security teams should conduct comprehensive network scans to identify all instances of affected OSSIM installations and ensure proper access controls are in place to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1211 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also review their web application security practices and implement comprehensive testing procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should include testing for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in all web-based security tools to prevent similar incidents. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and updating security configurations to ensure that administrative interfaces are properly secured and that access controls are appropriately enforced to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities.