CVE-2015-6510 in pfSense
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in pfSense before 2.2.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) srctrack, (2) use_mfs_tmp_size, or (3) use_mfs_var_size parameter to system_advanced_misc.php; the (4) port, (5) snaplen, or (6) count parameter to diag_packet_capture.php; the (7) pppoe_resethour, (8) pppoe_resetminute, (9) wpa_group_rekey, or (10) wpa_gmk_rekey parameter to interfaces.php; the (11) pppoe_resethour or (12) pppoe_resetminute parameter to interfaces_ppps_edit.php; the (13) member[] parameter to interfaces_qinq_edit.php; the (14) port or (15) retry parameter to load_balancer_pool_edit.php; the (16) pkgrepourl parameter to pkg_mgr_settings.php; the (17) zone parameter to services_captiveportal.php; the port parameter to (18) services_dnsmasq.php or (19) services_unbound.php; the (20) cache_max_ttl or (21) cache_min_ttl parameter to services_unbound_advanced.php; the (22) sshport parameter to system_advanced_a dmin.php; the (23) id, (24) tunable, (25) descr, or (26) value parameter to system_advanced_sysctl.php; the (27) firmwareurl, (28) repositoryurl, or (29) branch parameter to system_firmware_settings.php; the (30) pfsyncpeerip, (31) synchronizetoip, (32) username, or (33) passwordfld parameter to system_hasync.php; the (34) maxmss parameter to vpn_ipsec_settings.php; the (35) ntp_server1, (36) ntp_server2, (37) wins_server1, or (38) wins_server2 parameter to vpn_openvpn_csc.php; or unspecified parameters to (39) load_balancer_relay_action.php, (40) load_balancer_relay_action_edit.php, (41) load_balancer_relay_protocol.php, or (42) load_balancer_relay_protocol_edit.php.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6510 represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness affecting pfSense versions prior to 2.2.3, creating a persistent security risk across multiple administrative interfaces. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within numerous php configuration scripts, allowing remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through various parameters. The flaw manifests across a broad spectrum of pfSense management pages, from system advanced settings to network interface configurations and VPN services, demonstrating the extensive reach of this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by manipulating parameters in the targeted php files, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms that should prevent malicious code execution. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated attack scenarios, with remote attackers capable of injecting malicious payloads through HTTP requests that modify system configuration parameters. Each affected parameter represents a potential injection point where user-supplied data flows directly into web responses without proper sanitization or encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6510 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the pfSense administrative interface. The vulnerability affects critical system components including network interface management, firewall rules, VPN configurations, and system settings, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure. The attack surface includes multiple administrative pages that handle user input for various system parameters, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on pfSense for security management.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to pfSense version 2.2.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, along with regular security audits of administrative interfaces. The remediation process requires careful review of all parameters within the affected php scripts, implementing proper HTML encoding and input validation routines. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through suspicious parameter values. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive input validation across all web application interfaces, particularly in security-critical systems where administrative access can compromise entire network infrastructures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically targeting the application layer for privilege escalation and data compromise.