CVE-2015-1444 in fli4l
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web administration frontend in the httpd package in fli4l before 3.10.1 and 4.0 before 2015-01-30 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) conntrack.cgi, (2) index.cgi, (3) log_syslog.cgi, (4) problems.cgi, (5) status.cgi, (6) status_network.cgi, or (7) status_system.cgi script in admin/.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1444 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting the fli4l web administration interface. This issue impacts versions of the httpd package in fli4l before 3.10.1 and 4.0 before 2015-01-30, creating a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on the web-based management console for device configuration and monitoring. The vulnerability resides within the administrative frontend components that handle various system status and configuration functions, making it particularly dangerous for environments where administrative access is required for routine operations.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple attack vectors that target specific CGI scripts within the admin/ directory of the fli4l web interface. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious web scripts or HTML code through seven distinct endpoints including conntrack.cgi, index.cgi, log_syslog.cgi, problems.cgi, status.cgi, status_network.cgi, and status_system.cgi. These scripts process user input without proper sanitization or output encoding, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of untrusted data within web applications, where user-supplied input is directly reflected back to users without adequate validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated administrators. This could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive system information, modify configuration settings, or even gain complete control over the network device through session hijacking or credential theft. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these CGI scripts are integral to system monitoring and management functions, meaning that a successful exploitation could compromise the entire network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for credential access, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through compromised administrative sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1444 require immediate patching of affected fli4l versions to 3.10.1 or later releases that contain proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate administrative interfaces from public access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these vulnerable endpoints. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing strict input validation policies can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits of web interfaces and mandatory security updates for all network management tools should be established as part of comprehensive security protocols. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input sanitization practices and proper output encoding in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions where privilege escalation risks are elevated. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with XSS exploitation attempts.