CVE-2016-4930 in Junos Space
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Junos Space before 15.2R2 allows remote attackers to steal sensitive information or perform certain administrative actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The CVE-2016-4930 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Junos Space network management platform versions prior to 15.2R2. This vulnerability resides within the web interface component of the Junos Space software, which serves as a centralized management solution for juniper networks. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising the security of network administrators and users who interact with the platform. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the Junos Space web application. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious payloads that are executed in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code, which can be used to steal session cookies, capture user credentials, or manipulate the web interface to perform administrative actions without proper authorization. This weakness is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages, making it particularly dangerous in a network management context where elevated privileges are often required.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform administrative actions within the Junos Space environment. Network administrators who access the platform may unknowingly execute malicious scripts that could lead to complete compromise of the network management infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core management capabilities of Junos Space, potentially allowing attackers to view sensitive network configurations, modify device settings, or even gain access to other systems within the network that are managed through the platform. This represents a significant risk to enterprise network security, especially in environments where Junos Space is used for critical network monitoring and management functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the remediation measures provided by Juniper, including upgrading to version 15.2R2 or later. The patch addresses the input validation issues that enable the XSS attack vector and includes proper output encoding for user-supplied data. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider deploying web application firewalls to provide additional protection. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the execution of malicious scripts and T1566 for the initial access through web-based attacks. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Junos Space deployments and review access controls to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper input validation across all web applications, particularly those handling sensitive network management data.