CVE-2014-3474 in Horizon
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in horizon/static/horizon/js/horizon.instances.js in the Launch Instance menu in OpenStack Dashboard (Horizon) before 2013.2.4, 2014.1 before 2014.1.2, and Juno before Juno-2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a network name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3474 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the OpenStack Dashboard component known as Horizon. This security weakness specifically affects the Launch Instance menu functionality where users can create new virtual machine instances. The vulnerability exists in the javascript file horizon/static/horizon/js/horizon.instances.js which handles the client-side processing of network name inputs during instance creation. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the application's user interface, potentially compromising the security of other users who interact with the affected dashboard.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the horizon.instances.js file. When users enter network names during the instance launch process, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input data before rendering it in the web interface. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the network name parameter, which when improperly handled can serve as a vector for XSS attacks. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as the failure to properly escape output data, making it executable in web browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or theft. An authenticated attacker with access to the OpenStack Dashboard can leverage this XSS flaw to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of other users who view affected pages. This could enable session hijacking attacks where the attacker steals user credentials and session tokens, potentially gaining full administrative access to the OpenStack environment. The vulnerability also allows for more sophisticated attacks such as redirecting users to malicious websites, stealing sensitive configuration data, or even performing unauthorized actions within the dashboard on behalf of other users. The fact that this affects multiple versions including 2013.2.4, 2014.1.2, and Juno-2 demonstrates the persistence of this input validation weakness across different releases, indicating a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3474 require both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should immediately upgrade their OpenStack Dashboard installations to versions that include the security fixes released after the affected versions. The patching process should be complemented by implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Security teams should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of any remaining XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to client-side exploitation and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive browser security controls and user session management. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and the potential for authenticated users to escalate privileges through client-side attacks.