CVE-2014-3592 in openshift
Summary
by MITRE
OpenShift Origin: Improperly validated team names could allow stored XSS attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2014-3592 affects OpenShift Origin, a cloud computing platform designed to enable developers to build, deploy, and manage applications in a containerized environment. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the platform's team management functionality, specifically concerning the validation of team names. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute persistent cross-site scripting attacks against unsuspecting users of the platform.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of team names during the creation and modification processes within OpenShift Origin. When users attempt to create or update team names, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input data, allowing potentially malicious content to be stored within the platform's database. This stored data is subsequently served to other users without proper sanitization, creating an environment where cross-site scripting attacks can occur. The vulnerability specifically affects the user interface components that display team names, making it possible for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or service disruption. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the platform's data. The stored XSS attack vector allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browsers of other users, which could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. Given that OpenShift Origin serves as a platform for developers to manage their applications and collaborate, the compromise of team names could affect the entire organizational structure and user experience within the system.
Organizations utilizing OpenShift Origin should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including implementing comprehensive input sanitization and validation for all user-provided data, particularly team names and other identifiers. The platform should enforce strict validation rules that reject potentially malicious content, including HTML tags, JavaScript code, and other scripting elements. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policies to further protect against XSS attacks, and establish regular security audits to identify potential input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's initial access and persistence phases where adversaries seek to establish footholds within target environments.
The remediation process should involve thorough code review and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms, ensuring that all user-provided data undergoes rigorous sanitization before being stored or displayed. Organizations should also consider implementing automated testing procedures that specifically target XSS vulnerabilities in their development lifecycle. Regular security training for developers working with OpenShift Origin is essential to prevent similar issues in future releases. The platform's administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence to protect against emerging attack vectors targeting containerized environments.