CVE-2015-3162 in Beaker
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the edit comment dialog in bkr/server/widgets.py in Beaker 20.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via writing a crafted comment on an acked or nacked cancelled job.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The CVE-2015-3162 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Beaker job management system, specifically affecting the edit comment dialog functionality in the bkr/server/widgets.py module. This vulnerability exists in version 20.1 of the Beaker software, which is widely used for managing automated testing environments in enterprise settings. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through crafted comment submissions, potentially compromising the integrity of the testing infrastructure and exposing sensitive data to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the comment handling mechanism. When users with valid authentication credentials submit comments to acknowledged or nacked cancelled jobs, the system fails to properly sanitize the input before rendering it in the web interface. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected comments. The vulnerability specifically targets the edit comment dialog functionality, which serves as a critical interface for job status updates and collaborative testing management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the testing environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the testing workflow by injecting malicious code that modifies job statuses, alters test results, or redirects users to phishing sites. Given that Beaker systems often contain sensitive information about software development processes and testing configurations, the potential for data compromise is significant. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the system, as legitimate users may unknowingly interact with compromised content, leading to broader security implications for the entire testing infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing Beaker systems should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization measures, output encoding, and proper validation of all user-supplied content within comment fields. The fix should involve implementing comprehensive sanitization routines that strip or encode potentially dangerous HTML elements and JavaScript code before rendering user comments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in their testing infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insecure input handling can create persistent security risks in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the 'Command and Control' and 'Credential Access' tactics, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access and potentially escalate privileges within the testing environment.