CVE-2015-3422 in SearchBlox
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SearchBlox before 8.2.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the menu2 parameter to admin/main.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The CVE-2015-3422 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in SearchBlox software versions prior to 8.2.1, specifically affecting the admin/main.jsp component. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, where the menu2 parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into the application's response. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising user security and data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw occurring when untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate sanitization or encoding. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the menu2 parameter through HTTP requests to admin/main.jsp, allowing them to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code. This injection occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding controls, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, manipulate user interfaces, or redirect users to malicious websites. Given that the vulnerability affects the administrative interface of SearchBlox, successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and full control over the search application's configuration and data management capabilities. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to SearchBlox version 8.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting similar XSS vulnerabilities. Input validation should be strengthened through proper parameter sanitization, output encoding, and content security policy implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their web applications.