CVE-2015-0862 in RabbitMQ management
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the management web UI in the RabbitMQ management plugin before 3.4.3 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) message details when a message is unqueued, such as headers or arguments; (2) policy names, which are not properly handled when viewing policies; (3) details for AMQP network clients, such as the version; allow remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (4) user names, (5) the cluster name; or allow RabbitMQ cluster administrators to (6) modify unspecified content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The CVE-2015-0862 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness in the RabbitMQ management plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.4.3. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface that administrators use to monitor and control RabbitMQ message broker operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's user interface components, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by authenticated users with varying privilege levels. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core administrative functions that are frequently accessed and manipulated by system administrators, making it a prime target for exploitation in environments where RabbitMQ serves as a critical messaging infrastructure component.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through several distinct code paths within the management plugin's web UI. The first vector involves message details when messages are unqueued, specifically headers or arguments that are not properly escaped before being rendered in the browser interface. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts when viewing message metadata, which can execute in the context of other users' browser sessions. The second vector targets policy names that are improperly handled during policy viewing operations, while the third involves AMQP network client details including version information that lacks proper sanitization. Additionally, user names and cluster name fields present injection opportunities for authenticated administrators, with the final vector allowing modification of unspecified content through unspecified code paths. These vulnerabilities collectively demonstrate a pattern of insufficient output encoding and input validation across multiple user interface components.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0862 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the RabbitMQ management environment. When exploited by authenticated users, these vulnerabilities can allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other administrators' browser sessions, potentially leading to complete compromise of the management interface. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on RabbitMQ for critical messaging infrastructure, as attackers could gain access to sensitive configuration information, message contents, and administrative controls. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient output escaping, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection. Organizations may face compliance violations and security breaches if these vulnerabilities are exploited in environments governed by standards such as ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-53, or PCI DSS.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0862 should prioritize immediate patching to RabbitMQ management plugin versions 3.4.3 and later, which contain proper input sanitization and output encoding fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface to trusted administrative networks only, while also enforcing strict authentication controls including multi-factor authentication. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, conducting regular security assessments of the management interface, and establishing monitoring for anomalous administrative activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, aligning with security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other components of the messaging infrastructure.