CVE-2016-1000220 in Kibana
Summary
by MITRE
Kibana before 4.5.4 and 4.1.11 are vulnerable to an XSS attack that would allow an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in users' browsers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2019
Kibana versions prior to 4.5.4 and 4.1.11 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that exposes users to potential malicious code execution. This flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within the web interface, specifically affecting how search queries and other interactive elements are processed and rendered. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that are directly embedded into HTML output without proper encoding or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable Kibana instance, execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The attack typically involves injecting malicious script tags or other XSS vectors through search parameters or dashboard configurations that are then displayed to victims without proper escaping.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness allows attackers to bypass the same origin policy that normally protects web browsers from malicious scripts executing in different domains. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the Kibana environment. When users access maliciously crafted URLs or interact with compromised dashboard elements, their browsers execute the injected JavaScript code, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify application behavior, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Kibana is used for log analysis and monitoring, as attackers could exploit it to gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data or manipulate the monitoring infrastructure itself.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on Kibana for security monitoring and log analysis. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the Kibana application. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that users click on malicious links or interact with compromised dashboards, making it particularly effective in social engineering campaigns. Organizations using vulnerable versions face risks of data exfiltration, unauthorized access to monitoring systems, and potential compromise of the entire logging infrastructure. This vulnerability also falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where adversaries use JavaScript to execute malicious code in victim browsers. The exploitation typically occurs through user interaction with malicious content, making it difficult to defend against purely technical measures.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Kibana versions 4.5.4 or 4.1.11 and later to remediate this vulnerability. The upgrade process should include thorough testing to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and dashboards. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads, and educating users about the risks of clicking untrusted links or interacting with suspicious dashboard elements. Network segmentation and privileged access controls can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in the monitoring infrastructure. The fix implemented in the patched versions involves proper sanitization of user inputs and implementation of secure coding practices that prevent the injection of malicious scripts into web responses. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide additional protection against XSS attacks and monitor for unusual user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.