CVE-2016-0901 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in EMC RSA Authentication Manager before 8.1 SP1 P14 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0900.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2022
The CVE-2016-0901 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within EMC RSA Authentication Manager versions prior to 8.1 Service Pack 1 Patch 14. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a remote code execution vector that enables attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the authentication manager's web interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web components, creating an attack surface where malicious payloads can be executed in the context of authenticated user sessions. Unlike CVE-2016-0900 which addressed different attack vectors, this vulnerability specifically targets the core authentication infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on RSA Authentication Manager for identity verification and access control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that likely involve manipulation of web form inputs, URL parameters, or API endpoints within the RSA Authentication Manager interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute within the browser context of legitimate users who interact with the compromised system. This creates a persistent threat where authenticated users may unknowingly execute malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers do not require local system access or network proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where the authentication manager serves as a critical security control.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0901 extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a fundamental breach in the authentication system's security posture. Organizations utilizing vulnerable RSA Authentication Manager versions face potential compromise of their entire authentication ecosystem, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to bypass multi-factor authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability's presence in the authentication manager creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can manipulate the very system responsible for verifying user identities, potentially leading to widespread credential compromise and unauthorized system access. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks targeting authentication systems, where the vulnerability serves as an entry point for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0901 center on immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patches and updates released for RSA Authentication Manager 8.1 SP1 P14 and subsequent versions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their web applications, following secure coding practices that prevent malicious content from being executed in user contexts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remediation requires careful planning due to the critical nature of authentication systems, with rollback procedures and thorough testing necessary to ensure service availability while addressing the security gap. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their authentication infrastructure and implement web application firewalls to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.