CVE-2014-4694 in Suricata package
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in suricata_select_alias.php in the Suricata package before 1.0.6 for pfSense through 2.1.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4694 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the suricata_select_alias.php component of the Suricata package, which is widely utilized within pfSense firewall distributions. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 1.0.6 and specifically impacts pfSense versions through 2.1.4, creating a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on these systems for intrusion detection and prevention. The flaw resides in the handling of unspecified variables within the suricata_select_alias.php script, which processes alias selections for Suricata's network traffic analysis capabilities. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. This weakness enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers can inject arbitrary web script or HTML code through unspecified input parameters within the suricata_select_alias.php script. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-94, which describes the execution of arbitrary code through improper input handling, and more specifically with CWE-79's manifestation in web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by manipulating input fields that are processed by the vulnerable script, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to network monitoring information. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in network security environments where Suricata is used for intrusion detection, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate the security monitoring capabilities or gain access to sensitive network traffic data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4694 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can compromise the integrity of network security monitoring systems that depend on Suricata's alias selection functionality. Network administrators using affected pfSense versions face potential exposure to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors could inject scripts to redirect users to phishing sites or steal session cookies. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the network security infrastructure itself, potentially allowing them to bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to the underlying network monitoring capabilities. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables code execution in the context of the victim's browser, while T1566 represents the initial access vector through malicious web content delivery. Organizations with compromised Suricata installations could experience complete loss of network monitoring integrity, potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected while conducting reconnaissance or executing further attacks against the network infrastructure.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-4694 involves immediate deployment of the patched Suricata package version 1.0.6 or later, which resolves the input validation issues in suricata_select_alias.php. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring proper input sanitization and output encoding practices are followed throughout the pfSense environment. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious input, conducting regular security assessments of network monitoring systems, and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in security-critical applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in web application components can lead to significant operational security compromises in network monitoring environments. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across their pfSense and Suricata installations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.