CVE-2016-1926 in Greenbone Security Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the charts module in Greenbone Security Assistant (GSA) 6.x before 6.0.8 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the aggregate_type parameter in a get_aggregate command to omp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1926 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Greenbone Security Assistant (GSA) platform, specifically affecting versions 6.x prior to 6.0.8. This security weakness resides in the charts module of the GSA, which is a web-based interface for managing and monitoring security assessments. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser by manipulating the aggregate_type parameter in the get_aggregate command through the Open Management Protocol (OMP). The affected system processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that will execute when other users view the affected charts or reports.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of input parameters within the GSA's chart generation functionality. When the get_aggregate command is executed with a maliciously crafted aggregate_type parameter, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. This lack of input sanitization creates a classic XSS attack vector where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the web application's output, allowing for script execution in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core charting functionality that many security professionals rely on for monitoring and reporting purposes, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise security operations centers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. Security analysts and administrators who regularly access the GSA interface and view charts containing aggregated data may unknowingly execute malicious scripts when the application renders these visualizations. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the security platform, as it allows attackers to compromise the integrity of the security monitoring environment itself. The attack can be executed without requiring authentication or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the GSA is accessible to multiple users or exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the GSA application. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to GSA version 6.0.8 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing this XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting similar vulnerabilities, and establish strict input validation policies for all user-supplied parameters. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing content security policies that restrict script execution within the application environment, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization in web applications and serves as a reminder that even monitoring and reporting tools can become attack vectors if not properly secured against common web exploits.