CVE-2016-0926 in Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Apps Manager in Pivotal Cloud Foundry (PCF) Elastic Runtime before 1.6.32 and 1.7.x before 1.7.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified input that improperly interacts with the AngularJS framework.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2016-0926 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Apps Manager component of Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime, affecting versions prior to 1.6.32 and 1.7.x prior to 1.7.8. This issue specifically targets the interaction between user input and the AngularJS framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected applications. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of input data that flows through the AngularJS templating system, which is widely used for building dynamic web applications. This flaw is particularly concerning in cloud environments where multiple applications and users share the same infrastructure, as it could potentially allow attackers to compromise the entire platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the Apps Manager interface. When users interact with the platform's administrative components, data entered through various input fields is processed through AngularJS binding mechanisms without adequate validation or sanitization. This creates a scenario where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed in the browser context of other users who access the same administrative interface. The AngularJS framework's data binding capabilities, while powerful for creating dynamic user experiences, become a vector for exploitation when input validation is insufficient. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting weakness, specifically manifesting as a reflected XSS attack where malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. Remote attackers could exploit this flaw to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify application data, or even escalate privileges within the Cloud Foundry environment. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the Apps Manager serves as a central administrative interface for managing applications and resources within PCF. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive application data, user credentials, and potentially compromise the entire Cloud Foundry deployment. The impact is amplified in multi-tenant environments where a single compromised administrative interface could affect multiple applications and users sharing the same platform infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0926 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime, specifically versions 1.6.32 and 1.7.8 or later. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including input validation, output encoding, and Content Security Policy (CSP) enforcement to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The implementation of proper AngularJS sanitization practices, such as using ng-bind instead of ng-html-bind for dynamic content, can help prevent XSS vulnerabilities in applications built on this framework. Security teams should also consider network-level protections including web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and block suspicious input patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads to users. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their cloud infrastructure components.