CVE-2015-7786 in Smart Sourcing JavaScript Module
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the NTT DATA Smart Sourcing JavaScript module 2003-11-26 through 2013-07-09 for Web Analytics Service allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2018
The CVE-2015-7786 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the NTT DATA Smart Sourcing JavaScript module version range from 2003-11-26 through 2013-07-09 within the Web Analytics Service framework. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a server-side input validation failure that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate web applications and potentially access sensitive user data or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Web Analytics Service module, suggesting that the flaw exists in how user-supplied input is processed or rendered within the JavaScript framework. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed when other users view the affected web pages. The vulnerability's presence in the Smart Sourcing module indicates that the issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs, particularly within analytics tracking mechanisms that collect and process visitor data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including but not limited to URL parameters, form submissions, or even cookies that are processed by the analytics service.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7786 extends significantly beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates a persistent security risk for organizations utilizing the affected NTT DATA Smart Sourcing module. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web applications, or harvest sensitive information from authenticated users. The vulnerability's longevity, spanning from 2003 to 2013, suggests that organizations may have been unknowingly exposed to this risk for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent footholds within target networks. The Web Analytics Service context means that this vulnerability could affect a wide range of web properties that rely on NTT DATA's analytics infrastructure, potentially impacting thousands of websites and applications across different sectors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching or updating to versions that address the XSS flaw. The mitigation strategy should include implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly within the analytics tracking components. Security measures should incorporate the principle of least privilege for analytics modules and regular security assessments of third-party web analytics services. Organizations must also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, along with regular monitoring for suspicious activity in their web analytics data. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential risks associated with legacy web analytics solutions that may contain unpatched security flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for 'Scripting' with potential lateral movement capabilities through session hijacking and user impersonation attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures beyond simple patch management.