CVE-2014-4329 in ntopng
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in lua/host_details.lua in ntopng 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the host parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The CVE-2014-4329 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in ntopng version 1.1 within the lua/host_details.lua script. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input through the host parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw exists in the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the application's output.
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 attack vector leverages the fact that ntopng's host_details.lua script directly incorporates user-provided host parameter values into dynamically generated web content without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ntopng is a network traffic probe and monitoring tool that typically runs in network administration environments where users may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive network data. When exploited, this XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to compromise the integrity of network monitoring data and user sessions. In network administration contexts, where ntopng is commonly deployed, an attacker could potentially manipulate network traffic visualizations, inject false alerts, or gain unauthorized access to network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the network or system to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. The attack requires minimal skill and can be automated, allowing for widespread exploitation across multiple installations of the vulnerable ntopng version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4329 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user-provided input parameters before they are processed or rendered in web responses, particularly the host parameter in this case. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and ensure that ntopng is updated to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how web application vulnerabilities can be exploited to execute malicious code in user browsers. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in network monitoring tools and other web applications.