CVE-2015-5447 in StoreOnce Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HP StoreOnce Backup system software before 3.13.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The CVE-2015-5447 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in HP StoreOnce Backup system software versions prior to 3.13.1. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of the backup appliance, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on HP StoreOnce solutions for their data protection infrastructure. The flaw specifically affects the authentication mechanism and web application components that handle user input processing, making it particularly dangerous as it requires only authenticated access to exploit. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web interface components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection as the vulnerability can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation attacks within the context of the affected system. The affected HP StoreOnce systems operate with web interfaces that process user-supplied data without proper sanitization, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by authenticated users who have legitimate access to the backup system. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the backup environment, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to backup data, modify backup configurations, or compromise the entire backup infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges, as the vulnerability is accessible to authenticated users who may have legitimate access to the system for backup operations or management tasks.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5447 occurs through the manipulation of web application parameters that are not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that contain script code which gets executed when other authenticated users view the affected web pages. The vulnerability exists in the way the system handles user input in various web forms, configuration interfaces, and reporting components. When legitimate users interact with these components, the malicious code executes in their browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the backup system. The specific vectors for exploitation are not detailed in the CVE entry, but typically involve manipulation of form fields, URL parameters, or data fields within the web interface that are not properly escaped or validated. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers phishing and social engineering attacks that can leverage web-based vulnerabilities. The system's failure to properly encode output data means that any user input that gets displayed back to other users in the web interface can become a potential attack vector. The impact is particularly severe because backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise the broader enterprise environment through the backup infrastructure.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-5447 face significant operational risks that extend beyond immediate security concerns to include potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to backup data, potentially leading to data loss or corruption. System administrators must consider the possibility of attackers using this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify backup schedules, or even delete backup data. The impact on business continuity is substantial as backup systems are critical for disaster recovery and data protection. Organizations should also consider the potential for attackers to use this vulnerability as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network, particularly since backup systems often have access to sensitive organizational data and may be used to extract credentials or other valuable information. The vulnerability's presence in HP StoreOnce systems means that enterprises using these backup solutions are at risk of having their backup infrastructure compromised, potentially affecting their ability to recover from actual disasters or security incidents. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in regulatory compliance issues, particularly in environments governed by data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss standards. The affected systems may also be subject to audit findings that could impact security certifications and compliance status.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5447 center on immediate software updates and patches provided by HP to address the identified cross-site scripting vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize upgrading their HP StoreOnce Backup systems to version 3.13.1 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. In addition to patching, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the backup systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the web-based management interfaces. Configuration hardening measures should include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly monitoring access logs for suspicious activity. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other components of their backup infrastructure and ensure proper input validation is implemented across all web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for backup system interfaces, limiting administrative access to only those users who require such privileges for their specific roles. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing backup operations or configurations. Regular security awareness training for system administrators and backup operators can help prevent social engineering attacks that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability through user interaction with malicious content. Additionally, organizations should maintain detailed incident response procedures that include specific steps for handling potential exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities in backup systems, ensuring rapid response to any security incidents that may arise from this or similar vulnerabilities.