CVE-2016-5811 in PowerLink2
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Visonic PowerLink2, all versions prior to October 2016 firmware release. User controlled input is not neutralized prior to being placed in web page output (CROSS-SITE SCRIPTING).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5811 affects Visonic PowerLink2 security systems with firmware versions released before October 2016. This represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web-based interfaces used to manage security systems. The vulnerability resides in the web application component of the PowerLink2 platform, which serves as the primary interface for system configuration, monitoring, and administration tasks. The affected system architecture processes user input through web forms and interface elements without proper sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows arbitrary code execution within the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web page output without appropriate validation or encoding. In the PowerLink2 system, this vulnerability affects web-based management interfaces where administrators and authorized users interact with the security platform through browser-based applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that, when processed and displayed within the web interface, execute unintended scripts in the victim's browser. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web application layer of the PowerLink2 system, which handles configuration parameters, user credentials, and system status information through HTTP-based interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform authenticated actions on behalf of legitimate users within the security system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive security system data, modify system configurations, or even escalate privileges within the administrative interface. The attack vector requires user interaction with a maliciously crafted web page, typically through phishing campaigns or compromised system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security system administrators regularly interact with web-based management tools. This vulnerability undermines the integrity of the security system's web interface and can lead to unauthorized access to critical security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the October 2016 firmware release or later versions that address this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious input, conducting regular security assessments of web interfaces, and establishing secure coding practices for all web applications handling user input. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that all web-based management interfaces properly sanitize user input before rendering in web pages. Security teams should also monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable web interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and secure development practices in security-critical systems, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework's application layer exploitation techniques.