CVE-2015-5691 in Web Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PHP scripts in the management console on Symantec Web Gateway (SWG) appliances with software before 5.2.2 DB 5.0.0.1277 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated an attack against admin_messages.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-5691 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Symantec Web Gateway appliances, specifically targeting the management console interface. This issue impacts software versions prior to 5.2.2 DB 5.0.0.1277 and demonstrates the dangerous potential for remote code execution through web-based attacks. The vulnerability resides within PHP scripts that handle administrative functions, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on Symantec's web security solutions. The attack vector involves the injection of arbitrary web scripts or HTML content, which can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the PHP scripts of the Symantec Web Gateway management console. The specific demonstration against admin_messages.php reveals that the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the management console may be susceptible to similar attacks, indicating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5691 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions within the Symantec Web Gateway environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially manipulate security policies, view confidential network traffic, or even redirect users to malicious websites. The management console's privileged access to security controls makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could allow attackers to bypass security measures and compromise the entire web gateway infrastructure. Organizations relying on these appliances for network protection face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5691 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions 5.2.2 DB 5.0.0.1277 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including web application firewalls, input validation controls, and regular security assessments of the management console interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreters. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the management console and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for administrators and comprehensive vulnerability assessments should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of the security infrastructure.