CVE-2016-2219 in Web Interface
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 7.x before 7.0.8 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2219 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the management interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 7.x operating systems prior to version 7.0.8. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based administrative console that network security administrators use to configure and manage their firewall appliances. The flaw exists in the way the system processes user input within the management interface, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web interface components of PAN-OS 7.x. Attackers who have already gained authentication credentials can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts into input fields or parameters that are subsequently rendered back to the user interface without proper sanitization. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors, suggesting that multiple entry points within the management interface may be susceptible to such injection attacks, potentially including configuration fields, log viewing interfaces, or administrative forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers with authenticated access to potentially escalate their privileges or compromise the entire network security infrastructure. When an authenticated user visits a maliciously crafted page or interacts with a compromised interface element, the injected scripts execute within the user's browser session with the privileges of that authenticated user. This could lead to unauthorized configuration changes, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise if the authenticated user possesses administrative privileges.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, particularly when considering that the injected scripts could potentially leverage the compromised session to execute additional malicious commands. The attack surface is particularly concerning for network security administrators who regularly access the management interface, as the vulnerability requires only authentication credentials rather than complex exploitation techniques. Organizations using affected PAN-OS versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, especially when administrators are targeted through social engineering or credential compromise attacks that lead to exploitation of this XSS vulnerability.
The remediation strategy involves upgrading to PAN-OS version 7.0.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent script injection attacks. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures such as regular security assessments, monitoring for suspicious user activities, and ensuring that administrative sessions are conducted through secure channels with proper session management. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated security policies that address the risks associated with authenticated XSS vulnerabilities in network management interfaces.