CVE-2016-1226 in Internet Security
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Trend Micro Internet Security 8 and 10 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1226 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Trend Micro Internet Security versions 8 and 10, classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified attack vectors within the web interface of the security software, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by threat actors without requiring authentication or local access privileges.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Trend Micro Internet Security web administration interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed when legitimate users view affected web pages or interact with the security software's web-based management console. The flaw allows for arbitrary script injection that can persist across user sessions, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the software's defensive coding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1226 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing affected Trend Micro versions face significant risk of data exfiltration, as the injected scripts could access sensitive configuration information, user credentials, or network details stored within the browser session. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target users from external networks without requiring physical access to the affected systems. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage browser-based scripting to execute malicious code. The potential for privilege escalation exists when the web interface operates with elevated permissions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate environments where security software typically runs with administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1226 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Trend Micro Internet Security versions 8 and 10, as this represents the most effective defense against the identified vulnerability. Organizations must ensure comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to avoid disrupting critical security operations. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by filtering malicious traffic before it reaches vulnerable web interfaces. Input validation controls and output encoding should be implemented to prevent script injection attempts, following secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other security tools and web applications within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.