CVE-2017-1000078 in ONOS
Summary
by MITRE
Linux foundation ONOS 1.9 is vulnerable to XSS in the device registration
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000078 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Linux Foundation ONOS (Open Network Operating System) version 1.9 platform. This critical security weakness resides in the device registration functionality of the network operating system, which is designed to manage and control network devices within software-defined networking environments. The ONOS platform serves as a foundational component for building and operating software-defined networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential to compromise network infrastructure management systems.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient input validation mechanism in the device registration module where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web interfaces. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the registration process, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected registration entries. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based administrative interface that handles device registration requests, where unvalidated input parameters are directly incorporated into HTML output without appropriate encoding or sanitization measures. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive administrative credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to network control planes. In a software-defined networking environment, such as those managed by ONOS, this could enable attackers to manipulate network flows, redirect traffic, or even compromise the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface that handles device registration, which is a fundamental function in network management operations. Attackers could exploit this weakness to register malicious devices or inject payloads that persist in the system, creating long-term attack vectors within the network management infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000078 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the device registration process. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized and encoded before being rendered in web interfaces, utilizing established security libraries and frameworks that provide built-in protection against XSS attacks. The recommended approach includes implementing proper HTML escaping for all dynamic content, utilizing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and applying the principle of least privilege to restrict access to device registration functions. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for credential harvesting through social engineering, as the vulnerability enables both code execution and credential theft in network management contexts. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be implemented to ensure that all ONOS components remain protected against known vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the web interface components that handle user interactions and data processing.