CVE-2016-5395 in Ranger
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the create user functionality in the policy admin tool in Apache Ranger before 0.6.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to policies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5395 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Apache Ranger's policy administration tool, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.6.1. This security weakness resides in the user creation functionality of the administrative interface, where authenticated administrators can inadvertently introduce malicious code through policy-related inputs. The flaw allows attackers who have already gained administrative privileges to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the entire administrative environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the policy administration component of Apache Ranger. When administrators create new user accounts or modify existing policies, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web interfaces. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected through policy names, descriptions, or other configurable fields. The vulnerability specifically affects the policy admin tool's create user functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the administrative interface that privileged users rely upon for system management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the Ranger environment. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, it primarily affects internal threats or compromised administrative accounts, but the potential for lateral movement and data exfiltration remains significant. An attacker could craft malicious policy entries that, when viewed by other administrators, would execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute commands on the affected systems. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between administrators and the system, making detection and prevention particularly challenging.
Organizations utilizing Apache Ranger versions prior to 0.6.1 should immediately implement the available patch releases that address this vulnerability through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. The remediation process involves upgrading to Apache Ranger 0.6.1 or later versions, which include enhanced validation controls and improved sanitization routines for user inputs. Additionally, implementing strict input validation policies, regular security audits of administrative interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities can help mitigate the risk. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category of command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through web-based interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and strict access controls to prevent unauthorized administrative access, as the vulnerability's effectiveness is directly tied to the attacker's ability to authenticate as an administrator.