CVE-2016-1917 in Enterprise Server BES
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Management Console in BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 12 before 12.4.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1918.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1917 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Management Console version 12 prior to 12.4.1. This issue specifically targets the web-based administrative interface that organizations use to manage their mobile device policies and configurations. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the console's URL handling functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Management Console's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters when processing URLs. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable BES console, are executed in the browser of authenticated administrators. This occurs because the system does not adequately validate or escape special characters in URL parameters before rendering them in web responses. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the authenticated user and the web application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who have already gained access to the system through other means or by tricking administrators into clicking malicious links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the BlackBerry Enterprise Server environment. When an administrator visits a maliciously crafted URL, the injected script can access the administrator's session cookies and other sensitive information, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to critical enterprise mobile device management functions. This vulnerability also facilitates more sophisticated attacks such as data exfiltration, modification of device policies, and disruption of enterprise mobile services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that administrators often possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive corporate data through the BES console.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-1917 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch version 12.4.1, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the Management Console. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web application development, particularly for administrative interfaces that handle sensitive enterprise data and system configurations.