CVE-2016-5850 in Public Cloud Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the volume backup service module in Huawei Public Cloud Solution before 1.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5850 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Huawei Public Cloud Solution's volume backup service module. This security weakness affects versions prior to 1.0.5 and specifically targets the cloud infrastructure's backup functionality, creating a significant risk for authenticated users who can exploit this vulnerability from remote locations. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the volume backup service, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web interfaces. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a classic cross-site scripting attack vector, where malicious scripts can be injected into web applications and executed in the context of other users' browsers. This particular flaw allows attackers to manipulate the backup service's user interface through unspecified vectors, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of cloud storage operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the cloud environment. Remote authenticated users can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code in victims' browsers, potentially gaining access to backup data, modifying storage configurations, or even accessing other cloud services within the same tenant environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within a critical infrastructure component responsible for data protection and recovery operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for credential access through web application attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices in input sanitization and output encoding, creating persistent security risks for cloud environments where backup operations are frequently accessed and modified by multiple authorized users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5850 require immediate patching of affected Huawei Public Cloud Solution installations to version 1.0.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent unauthorized script injection attempts, while also conducting regular security assessments of cloud service components. The remediation process must include thorough code reviews focusing on input validation routines and output encoding practices within the volume backup service module. Security teams should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual backup activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for backup service operations can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Organizations should consider deploying automated vulnerability scanning tools specifically designed for cloud environments to identify similar issues in other components of their cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls in cloud service environments where data protection and user authentication are paramount.