CVE-2016-4946 in HUE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cloudera HUE 3.9.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) First name or (2) Last name field in the HUE Users page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4946 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cloudera HUE 3.9.0 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the user management interface. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user profile information where attackers can manipulate the First name and Last name fields through the HUE Users page. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the HUE application's user profile management module. When users enter data into the First name or Last name fields, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This lack of proper input filtering creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored and subsequently executed when other users view the affected user profiles. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where the malicious code is injected into the application's response and executed in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the Cloudera HUE environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to user sessions, potentially accessing sensitive data or performing administrative actions on behalf of other users. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that HUE serves as a web-based interface for managing Hadoop clusters, making it a valuable target for cybercriminals seeking access to big data environments. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the platform, potentially undermining the security posture of organizations relying on Cloudera's data analytics platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cloudera HUE versions that address this vulnerability, typically versions 3.10.0 and later. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly in profile management interfaces. Security controls should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML escaping of user inputs, and regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for JavaScript-based attacks. Regular security training for administrators and developers regarding secure coding practices remains essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.