CVE-2016-5077 in EventSentry
Summary
by MITRE
Netikus EventSentry before 3.2.1.44 has XSS via SNMP.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5077 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Netikus EventSentry software version 3.2.1.44 and earlier. This security weakness specifically manifests through SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) functionality, creating a significant risk for network administrators and security personnel who rely on the system for monitoring and managing network infrastructure. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SNMP handling components of the EventSentry application.
The technical flaw occurs when the system processes SNMP data without properly sanitizing or encoding user-supplied inputs before rendering them in web interfaces. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into SNMP-related fields, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring operations. Network administrators who utilize EventSentry for SNMP trap monitoring and alerting may find their systems compromised through this vector, potentially leading to unauthorized access to critical network information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where SNMP is widely used for network device management and monitoring, as it could allow attackers to gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and operational status. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Organizations using affected versions of EventSentry should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 3.2.1.44 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of SNMP traffic can provide additional defensive layers, while implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications can prevent similar issues. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities within their SNMP management interfaces and ensure that all web-based network monitoring tools properly sanitize user inputs before rendering them in browser contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing network management interfaces, particularly those handling SNMP data, as these systems often contain sensitive operational information that could be exploited to compromise entire network infrastructures.