CVE-2014-4633 in Archer eGRC
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in EMC RSA Archer GRC Platform 5.x before 5.5.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The CVE-2014-4633 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the EMC RSA Archer GRC Platform version 5.x prior to 5.5.1.1, exposing organizations to significant security risks through remote code execution via web-based attacks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web application layer where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The affected platform serves as a governance, risk, and compliance solution that handles sensitive organizational data, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the RSA Archer platform's web interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious scripts or HTML content through unspecified vectors that likely include form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable input points within the application. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to execute malicious payloads, significantly expanding the attack surface. This type of vulnerability typically arises when applications fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4633 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise entire organizational security postures. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the browsers of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or even lateral movement within the network. Given that RSA Archer platforms typically handle sensitive compliance data, intellectual property, and business-critical information, the consequences of exploitation could result in significant financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence in a GRC platform specifically means that attackers could potentially access and manipulate compliance reports, risk assessments, and governance documentation that organizations rely upon for regulatory compliance and internal security management.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that align with industry best practices for web application security. The primary remediation involves applying the official EMC patch or upgrade to version 5.5.1.1, which addresses the underlying input validation and output encoding deficiencies. Additionally, organizations should implement robust input sanitization measures including the adoption of secure coding practices that enforce strict validation of all user inputs and proper HTML encoding of dynamic content. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for 'Scripting' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing', highlighting the multi-stage nature of attacks that exploit such weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to recognize potential phishing attempts that might leverage these vulnerabilities, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address web application compromises.