CVE-2015-2976 in Research Artisan Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Research Artisan Lite before 1.18 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a crafted HTML document or (2) a crafted URL that is mishandled during access-log analysis.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2976 represents a significant security flaw in Research Artisan Lite versions prior to 118, exposing users to multiple cross-site scripting attack vectors. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data during access-log analysis operations. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes crafted HTML documents or malicious URLs that are subsequently analyzed within the application's logging infrastructure, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of affected users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper sanitization of user input during the access-log analysis phase, which creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist within the application's processing pipeline. When the system encounters crafted HTML documents or URLs containing malicious script tags or other harmful code, the insufficient validation allows these elements to be interpreted and executed as legitimate content. This flaw operates under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as reflected and stored XSS vulnerabilities where malicious code can be executed in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the affected system.
The operational implications of CVE-2015-2976 are particularly concerning for organizations relying on Research Artisan Lite for security monitoring and log analysis. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulate log data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the system or direct network proximity. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Phishing and T1566.002 for Spearphishing via Service, as attackers could craft malicious URLs or documents to target unsuspecting users. The vulnerability's presence in the access-log analysis functionality particularly undermines the integrity of security monitoring systems, as attackers could potentially inject malicious code into log files that would then be displayed to administrators, creating a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the very tools designed to detect malicious activity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Research Artisan Lite version 1.18 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Additionally, administrators should deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, implement strict input validation for all user-supplied data, and conduct regular security assessments of the application's logging infrastructure. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup procedures to recover from potential compromise scenarios. These measures align with industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for application security and vulnerability management.