CVE-2016-4428 in Dashboard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in OpenStack Dashboard (Horizon) 8.0.1 and earlier and 9.0.0 through 9.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by injecting an AngularJS template in a dashboard form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-4428 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in OpenStack Dashboard component known as Horizon. This issue affects versions 8.0.1 and earlier, as well as versions 9.0.0 through 9.0.1 of the OpenStack Dashboard software. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the dashboard's form processing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of AngularJS templates into dashboard forms, leveraging the inherent trust relationship between the authenticated user and the web application. When an authenticated user interacts with a vulnerable form field, the malicious AngularJS template gets processed and executed within the user's browser context, bypassing standard security controls designed to prevent such code injection attacks. This particular flaw demonstrates a failure in proper content sanitization and template rendering practices, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's intended behavior through carefully crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, and further escalation within the OpenStack environment. Since the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, it represents a privilege escalation risk rather than a direct public attack vector, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials are compromised. The vulnerability affects the core dashboard functionality and can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive administrative controls, view confidential data, or manipulate system configurations through the authenticated user session.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and align it with ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering through malicious content injection. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071 for application layer protocol usage, particularly in how AngularJS templates are processed and executed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of Content Security Policy headers, proper template escaping mechanisms, and regular security auditing of web application components to prevent such injection attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls around form processing and user input handling within web applications.