CVE-2016-3126 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3126 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Management Console component of BlackBerry Enterprise Server version 12 prior to 12.4.1. This security weakness resides in the server's web interface handling of user-supplied input, specifically when processing crafted URLs that contain malicious script code. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive enterprise data.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the BES Management Console's URL parameter processing mechanisms. When the system receives a malformed URL containing embedded script elements, it fails to properly sanitize or escape these inputs before rendering them in the web interface. This improper handling creates an environment where attacker-controlled code can be executed in the browser context of authenticated users who interact with the compromised management console. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is a well-established weakness pattern in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the enterprise environment. An attacker could leverage this XSS vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even escalate privileges within the BES environment. The implications are particularly severe given that the Management Console typically requires administrative access and handles sensitive configuration data, making successful exploitation a significant threat to enterprise security. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment' when considering potential attack vectors.
Organizations utilizing BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12 versions prior to 12.4.1 face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it requires minimal attacker effort to exploit and can result in complete compromise of the management interface. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the web-based console that administrators regularly access, making it a prime target for exploitation. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to version 12.4.1 or later, which addresses the input validation gaps. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious URL patterns, conduct regular security assessments of the management console, and establish network segmentation to limit access to the BES environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-160 security guidelines.