CVE-2016-4508 in BLADEcontrol-WebVIS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Rexroth Bosch BLADEcontrol-WebVIS 3.0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The CVE-2016-4508 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Rexroth Bosch BLADEcontrol-WebVIS version 3.0.2 and earlier systems, exposing industrial automation platforms to significant security risks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The affected WebVIS platform is designed for industrial control systems and machine monitoring, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise operational technology environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web interface of the BLADEcontrol-WebVIS system. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the application's response, potentially affecting any user who accesses the compromised web interface. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system, enabling attacks from external networks. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, which specifically targets vulnerabilities in externally accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web application risks, particularly in industrial control environments where the BLADEcontrol-WebVIS system serves as a monitoring interface for critical machinery and processes. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, or execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser. The implications are especially concerning for industrial environments where such systems control manufacturing processes, machinery operations, or safety-critical functions, as the injected scripts could potentially be used to manipulate operational data or interfere with system behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4508 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including proper encoding of user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the operational technology infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust security practices in industrial environments where the consequences of exploitation can extend beyond traditional information technology risks into operational and safety domains.