CVE-2015-0513 in Watch4Net
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the administrative user interface in EMC M&R (aka Watch4Net) before 6.5u1 and ViPR SRM before 3.6.1 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by leveraging privileged access to set crafted values of unspecified fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0513 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting EMC Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) and ViPR SRM software products. This vulnerability exists within the administrative user interface components of these systems, specifically targeting versions prior to 6.5u1 for M&R and 3.6.1 for ViPR SRM. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web interfaces. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability must first establish authenticated access to the administrative interface, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into unspecified fields within the administrative interface. This occurs because the system does not adequately validate or escape user inputs before displaying them in web pages, creating opportunities for persistent or reflected XSS attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-controllable data in web applications. The attack vector requires the attacker to already possess administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability that leverages existing access rather than attempting to gain initial access through other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it could potentially allow attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the victim's browser session. This capability could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, access sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The compromised administrative interface provides attackers with access to critical system functions and configuration settings, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations utilizing these EMC products face significant risks including data exfiltration, system integrity compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive information is accessed or modified through this vulnerability. The attack scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers could leverage the XSS to execute JavaScript within the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0513 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for versions 6.5u1 and 3.6.1 respectively. Organizations should immediately upgrade their EMC M&R and ViPR SRM installations to the patched versions to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the administrative interfaces can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of administrative interfaces can help identify additional vulnerabilities that may exist in similar components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to detect and prevent XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in administrative interfaces where privileged access exists, as these components represent high-value targets for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or access sensitive system information.