CVE-2016-1918 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-2016-1917.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The CVE-2016-1918 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Management Console version 12 prior to 12.4.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based administrative interface that system administrators use to manage BlackBerry devices within enterprise environments. The flaw exists in the way the Management Console processes and validates URL parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the administrative interface. This issue is distinct from CVE-2016-1917, which indicates that BlackBerry addressed multiple vulnerabilities in their management console during this timeframe. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer, allowing attackers to manipulate URL parameters and execute malicious code within the context of an authenticated user's session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that contain malicious script payloads. When an administrator clicks on such a crafted URL while logged into the BES Management Console, the malicious code executes within the browser context of the administrative session. This creates a severe security risk because administrative accounts typically possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive enterprise data, device configurations, and user management functions. The XSS vulnerability can be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect administrators to malicious sites, or execute persistent attacks against the management interface. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the classic pattern of untrusted data being incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1918 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of BlackBerry Enterprise Server environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to device management controls, potentially enabling them to remotely wipe devices, modify device policies, or extract sensitive enterprise data. The risk is particularly severe in enterprise environments where BES servers manage thousands of mobile devices and where administrative credentials are highly valued. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited in combination with other attack vectors, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the enterprise network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering attacks that could leverage the compromised administrative session. The impact is compounded by the fact that administrators are often unaware of the malicious activity occurring within their own administrative sessions.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-1918 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigations including applying the official BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12.4.1 patch release that addresses this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by monitoring and filtering suspicious URL parameters before they reach the Management Console. Administrators should also implement strict input validation policies and ensure that all web applications follow secure coding practices with proper output encoding for all dynamic content. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and monitoring for unusual administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Given the nature of enterprise mobility management systems, the vulnerability represents a critical risk that requires immediate attention and comprehensive remediation across all affected BlackBerry Enterprise Server deployments.