CVE-2014-2502 in Rsa Adaptive Authentication Hosted
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in rsa_fso.swf in EMC RSA Adaptive Authentication (Hosted) 11.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The CVE-2014-2502 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the rsa_fso.swf component of EMC RSA Adaptive Authentication (Hosted) version 11.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the Flash-based file system object component that handles user interactions and data processing within the authentication framework. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Flash application, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of authenticated users. The vulnerability exists in the hosted environment configuration where the Flash component interacts with user-supplied data, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Flash application's handling of user input. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed when the vulnerable Flash component processes user-supplied data, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting flaw, specifically representing a reflected XSS attack vector where malicious scripts are injected into the application's response. The Flash-based nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can occur through various attack surfaces including form submissions, URL parameters, or any input field that gets processed by the rsa_fso.swf component. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which involves the exploitation of web applications through injection attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise authentication environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire authentication system. In the context of RSA Adaptive Authentication, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to protected systems, data breaches, or the ability to manipulate authentication flows. The hosted nature of the service means that attackers do not need to compromise the underlying infrastructure but can target the web application directly. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely on RSA's hosted authentication services, potentially exposing sensitive user credentials and authentication tokens to malicious actors. The impact is particularly severe given that authentication systems are critical infrastructure components where compromise can lead to widespread security breaches across an organization's digital assets.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-2502 should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS payloads, the implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, and the immediate patching of the affected RSA Adaptive Authentication components. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their authentication flows and monitor for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should involve updating to the latest patched versions of the RSA Adaptive Authentication software, implementing content security policies to prevent script execution, and conducting thorough security testing of all web applications that utilize Flash components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and session management controls to reduce the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for continuous security monitoring in enterprise authentication systems.