CVE-2016-9169 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected XSS vulnerability exists in the web console of the Document Viewer Agent in Novell GroupWise before 2014 R2 Support Pack 1 Hot Patch 2 that may enable a remote attacker to execute JavaScript in the context of a valid user's browser session by getting the user to click on a specially crafted link. This could lead to session compromise or other browser-based attacks.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2016-9169 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the web console of Novell GroupWise Document Viewer Agent, specifically affecting versions prior to 2014 R2 Support Pack 1 Hot Patch 2. This security weakness resides in the web interface component that processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability operates through a typical reflected XSS attack vector where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing malicious script payloads that are then reflected back to the user's browser when the link is clicked, bypassing traditional security controls that might otherwise prevent such execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires the attacker to deceive a legitimate user into clicking a specially crafted malicious link that contains JavaScript code designed to exploit the input validation weakness in the Document Viewer Agent's web console. When the user's browser renders the malicious content, the injected JavaScript executes within the context of the user's authenticated session, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions with the user's privileges. This reflected nature means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but is instead reflected from the server back to the client browser, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various vectors including email links, instant messaging, or compromised websites that redirect users to malicious pages containing the exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling full session compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive email data within the GroupWise environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal user session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, or redirect users to phishing sites designed to capture additional credentials. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using GroupWise email systems where users may have administrative or sensitive data access privileges, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before including it in web page output.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9169 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to the affected GroupWise versions, specifically applying the 2014 R2 Support Pack 1 Hot Patch 2 or equivalent security updates provided by Novell. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script payloads, input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied data, and regular security assessments of web interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and user education programs should be implemented to raise awareness about phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which emphasizes the importance of preventing JavaScript injection in web applications, and T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, indicating that email-based delivery methods are primary attack vectors that require enhanced email filtering and user training to prevent successful exploitation attempts.