CVE-2017-11175 in FIN Stack
Summary
by MITRE
In J2 Innovations FIN Stack 4.0, the authentication webform is vulnerable to reflected XSS via the query string to /auth/ariosa/login.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11175 affects J2 Innovations FIN Stack version 4.0 and represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the authentication webform. This issue specifically manifests when the application processes query string parameters passed to the /auth/ariosa/login endpoint, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the victim's browser session. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's authentication module, where user-supplied parameters are directly reflected back to the client without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the query parameters and persuades a victim to access this link, the web application processes the input and reflects the malicious payload back to the user's browser. This reflected script executes in the context of the victim's session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack requires user interaction through social engineering tactics, as the malicious payload must be delivered via a crafted URL that the victim willingly visits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to the targeted system. An attacker could craft payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or inject malicious content that appears to originate from the legitimate application. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and monitoring platforms that rely on FIN Stack for their web interfaces, potentially compromising operational technology environments where system integrity and security are paramount. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code is not stored on the server, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11175 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures throughout the web application stack. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being reflected back to the client, utilizing context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for web content. The implementation of a robust content security policy can provide additional protection against malicious script execution, while regular security testing including dynamic application security testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other endpoints. According to ATT&CK framework tactic TA0001, this vulnerability falls under the initial access category, specifically targeting credential access through web application attacks that could be mitigated through proper input validation controls and security awareness training for end users. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in industrial control system web interfaces.