CVE-2015-3267 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the 404 error page in Red Hat JBoss Operations Network before 3.3.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3267 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Red Hat JBoss Operations Network platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.3.3. This issue manifests in the application's handling of 404 error pages, where the system fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in the error response. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through carefully crafted URLs. Such a flaw exists within the web application's error handling subsystem, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into the response without proper sanitization or context-appropriate encoding. The affected component resides in the web server's response generation logic, where error messages containing unprocessed user input are served to clients, creating an avenue for malicious code execution within the victim's browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL that triggers a 404 error response, embedding malicious script code within the URL parameters. When the JBoss Operations Network processes this request and generates the 404 page, the system fails to escape or remove the malicious content, allowing the injected script to execute in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary commands on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data that is subsequently rendered in web pages. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages the platform's legitimate error handling mechanism, making it difficult for security controls to distinguish between benign and malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3267 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that could compromise the entire JBoss Operations Network environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through session hijacking, create backdoor access points, or conduct phishing attacks against network administrators who interact with the platform. The vulnerability's presence in the error handling mechanism means that even legitimate users encountering broken links or malformed URLs could inadvertently trigger the malicious payload, amplifying the attack surface. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the execution of scripts through web applications, and T1566, which encompasses social engineering tactics that could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate users into visiting malicious URLs. The impact is particularly severe for organizations relying on JBoss Operations Network for critical infrastructure monitoring, as compromised access could lead to unauthorized visibility into network operations and potential data exfiltration.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to JBoss Operations Network version 3.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding for all user-controllable data in error responses, utilizing content security policies, and deploying web application firewalls can provide layered defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential injection points within the application's error handling mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding controls specifically targeting the 404 page generation logic, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before being rendered in web responses. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring for suspicious URL patterns and regular security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their web applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in error handling and user input processing within enterprise web platforms.