CVE-2014-9224 in Data Center Security
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ajaxswing webui in the Management Console server in the management server in Symantec Critical System Protection (SCSP) 5.2.9 through MP6 and Symantec Data Center Security: Server Advanced (SDCS:SA) 6.0.x through 6.0 MP1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The CVE-2014-9224 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Symantec Critical System Protection management console and Symantec Data Center Security Server Advanced platforms. This vulnerability exists in the ajaxswing webui component of the Management Console server, affecting versions 5.2.9 through MP6 of SCSP and 6.0.x through 6.0 MP1 of SDCS:SA. The flaw permits remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of victim sessions, creating significant security implications for enterprise environments that rely on these security management platforms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the ajaxswing webui framework. Attackers with legitimate authentication credentials can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts through unspecified vectors within the management console interface. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and potentially execute malicious code in the browser of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS attack vector within web application interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent access patterns within the management console environment. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate within the trusted management interface. The implications are particularly severe for security administrators who rely on these consoles for critical infrastructure protection, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the management plane and subsequent access to protected systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web-based attack vectors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Symantec, implementing additional input validation measures, and establishing network segmentation between management consoles and critical infrastructure. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous user behavior patterns and unusual script execution within the management console interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web application development practices, particularly in management interfaces that handle sensitive administrative functions and privileged access. Regular security assessments of web application components and adherence to secure coding standards are essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future deployments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional authentication controls to reduce the attack surface and provide defense-in-depth measures against such exploitation vectors.