CVE-2016-1599 in Self Service Password Reset
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in NetIQ Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) 2.x and 3.x before 3.3.1 HF2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1599 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within NetIQ Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) versions 2.x and 3.x prior to 3.3.1 HF2. This security weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the manipulation of crafted URLs, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the authentication and password reset processes. The vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering it within web responses. The flaw specifically affects the URL handling functionality of the SSPR system, where user-provided parameters are not adequately filtered or escaped, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a classic cross-site scripting attack vector where untrusted data flows from the web server to the web browser without proper sanitization. The attack scenario involves an attacker crafting a malicious URL containing script code that gets executed when a victim accesses the compromised endpoint. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to hijack user sessions, steal authentication tokens, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The affected versions of NetIQ SSPR fail to implement proper output encoding or context-aware sanitization techniques that would prevent the execution of embedded scripts within the web application context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on NetIQ SSPR for password management and self-service authentication. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system or network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is accessible from external networks. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of injection flaws and the potential for privilege escalation through session hijacking.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch version 3.3.1 HF2 which addresses the input validation gaps in the URL processing components. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect suspicious URL patterns and implementing proper web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of related applications and services to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could be exploited through similar attack vectors. The remediation process must also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking untrusted links and the importance of verifying URL authenticity before interaction with password reset systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation mechanisms as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's defensive strategies against web application attacks.