CVE-2013-6198 in Service Manager Web Tier
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HP Service Manager WebTier and Windows Client 9.20 and 9.21 before 9.21.661 p8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The CVE-2013-6198 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting HP Service Manager WebTier and Windows Client versions 9.20 and 9.21 prior to 9.21.661 p8. 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 allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the affected systems, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The unspecified attack vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through multiple entry points within the service manager's web interface, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on this platform for service management operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where HP Service Manager is used for critical business operations, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the service management platform. This vulnerability specifically affects the web tier components of the service manager, meaning that any web-based interaction with the system could potentially be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local access or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-6198 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Organizations using affected HP Service Manager versions face potential business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed web interfaces. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the injected scripts could be used to execute further malicious activities within the compromised environment. The lack of specific vector information in the original description suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the service manager's web interface may be susceptible to this flaw.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for HP Service Manager 9.21.661 p8 and higher versions, which address the XSS vulnerability through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection while awaiting patch deployment. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous user behavior and unusual web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the patch has been properly applied and that no other vulnerabilities exist within the service manager environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices across all web applications to prevent exploitation of similar XSS vulnerabilities in the future.