CVE-2016-6913 in USM
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in AlienVault OSSIM before 5.3 and USM before 5.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the back parameter to ossim/conf/reload.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2019
The CVE-2016-6913 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) and Unified Security Management (USM) platforms prior to version 5.3. This vulnerability resides in the configuration reload functionality of the web interface, specifically within the ossim/conf/reload.php script where the back parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input in the back parameter, which is directly incorporated into the web response without appropriate sanitization measures. This classic XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly encode or validate the back parameter before including it in the HTTP response, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's response. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs with specially formatted back parameters containing JavaScript code or HTML tags that execute when the page loads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing AlienVault platforms, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to the security information management system. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in victims' browsers, potentially leading to full system compromise if users have administrative privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the affected web interface. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the use of malicious links in phishing campaigns, and T1059.007, which involves the execution of scripts through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6913 should prioritize immediate patching of affected AlienVault OSSIM and USM installations to version 5.3 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization of the back parameter. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected web interface, restrict administrative privileges to only necessary users, and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular input validation audits of web applications and implement proper content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web application security, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing XSS attacks.