CVE-2014-3628 in Solr
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Admin UI Plugin / Stats page in Apache Solr 4.x before 4.10.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the fieldvaluecache object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3628 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Apache Solr administrative user interface, specifically affecting versions 4.x prior to 4.10.3. This issue resides in the Stats page functionality of the Admin UI Plugin, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize user-supplied input when processing fieldvaluecache objects, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers seeking to compromise the system's security posture.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted input is improperly handled and subsequently executed within a web browser. The flaw manifests when the Stats page processes data from the fieldvaluecache object without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that persist within the application's administrative interface. This creates a persistent threat vector where injected scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised administrative page, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3628 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the administrative interface and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. When exploited, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser, potentially allowing for full compromise of the administrative session. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within the administrative user interface, which typically contains sensitive configuration data, user management capabilities, and system monitoring functions that could be leveraged by threat actors for more extensive attacks.
Organizations utilizing affected Apache Solr versions should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to version 4.10.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the administrative interface to trusted networks only. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security controls, where proper sanitization of user inputs and the implementation of Content Security Policy headers can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior in administrative interfaces, as the presence of injected scripts may indicate unauthorized access attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage web-based injection techniques to establish persistent access to systems.