CVE-2016-5760 in Novell Groupwise
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the administrator console in Novell GroupWise before 2014 R2 Service Pack 1 Hot Patch 1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) token parameter to gwadmin-console/install/login.jsp or (2) PATH_INFO to gwadmin-console/index.jsp.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The CVE-2016-5760 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Novell GroupWise administrator console software prior to version 2014 R2 Service Pack 1 Hot Patch 1. This vulnerability exposes the administrative interface to remote code execution through malicious script injection, potentially compromising the entire GroupWise environment. The flaw specifically targets two input vectors within the web administration console, creating multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data and system controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the GroupWise administrator console web interface. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the token parameter in the gwadmin-console/install/login.jsp endpoint or by injecting malicious content through the PATH_INFO parameter in gwadmin-console/index.jsp. These parameters are directly processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes within the context of authenticated administrator sessions. The vulnerability manifests as a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user's browser without proper encoding or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5760 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the GroupWise environment. When an administrator accesses the compromised pages, the injected scripts execute with the administrator's permissions, potentially enabling complete system compromise. This includes unauthorized access to email data, modification of user accounts, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on GroupWise for email services, as successful exploitation could lead to widespread data breaches and disruption of critical communication infrastructure. The attack requires minimal technical expertise, making it a significant threat vector for both targeted attacks and automated exploitation campaigns.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the available service pack and hot patch updates from Novell to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious input patterns targeting the affected endpoints. Input validation should be strengthened at all entry points within the web application, with proper HTML encoding implemented for all dynamic content. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual access patterns to the administrator console and implementation of regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) within the adversary tactics framework. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for administrative interfaces and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.