CVE-2015-0265 in Ranger
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Policy Admin Tool in Apache Ranger before 0.5.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the HTTP User-Agent header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The CVE-2015-0265 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apache Ranger's Policy Admin Tool component, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.5.0. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of HTTP User-Agent headers, which are typically used by web browsers to identify themselves to web servers. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages a commonly transmitted HTTP header that is often processed without proper sanitization, making it an attractive target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the Policy Admin Tool's User-Agent header processing logic. When the application receives an HTTP request containing a User-Agent header, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This processing gap creates an environment where malicious actors can craft User-Agent strings containing embedded scripts that execute when the application displays or processes the header value. The vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface where authorized users might view or manipulate policy configurations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or extract sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0265 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the targeted environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify administrative interfaces, or even gain elevated privileges within the Ranger administration system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative tools are accessible over the internet. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0265 primarily focus on upgrading to Apache Ranger version 0.5.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the User-Agent header processing vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all HTTP headers, particularly those that are frequently used but not adequately protected. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious User-Agent patterns, while also ensuring that administrative interfaces are properly segmented and access-controlled. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and input validation practices, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021, which emphasizes the need for robust input sanitization and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the Apache Ranger ecosystem and related security infrastructure.