CVE-2016-5060 in nGrinder
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in nGrinder before 3.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) description, (2) email, or (3) username parameter to user/save.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5060 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the nGrinder performance testing platform prior to version 3.4. This vulnerability exists within the user management functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through three specific parameters during the user save operation. The affected parameters include description, email, and username fields, which are all processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. This oversight creates a persistent security weakness that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire user base of the platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other HTML elements and submits them through the vulnerable parameters. When the application stores this input without proper sanitization and subsequently displays it to other users, the embedded scripts execute in the target users' browsers. This behavior aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where web applications fail to properly validate or encode user-controllable data before including it in dynamically generated web pages. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5060 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user information and session data. When an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts into the description, email, or username fields, they can leverage this capability to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from authenticated users. This vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, session hijacking, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these parameters are commonly used in user management operations where administrators or regular users might enter personal information, making the vulnerability exploitable across multiple user roles within the application.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to credential access and command and control operations. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to privilege escalation if attackers can manipulate user accounts or gain administrative access through session hijacking. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-controllable parameters, especially those used in user management functions. The recommended remediation involves updating to nGrinder version 3.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive content security policy and regular security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components.