CVE-2017-14800 in NetIQ Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected cross site scripting attack in the NetIQ Access Manager before 4.3.3 using the "typecontainerid" parameter of the policy editor could allowed code injection into pages of authenticated users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14800 represents a critical reflected cross site scripting flaw within the NetIQ Access Manager platform prior to version 4.3.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the policy editor component and exploits the "typecontainerid" parameter to execute malicious code against authenticated users. The attack vector leverages reflected XSS techniques where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user's browser without proper sanitization or validation, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on this access management solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the policy editor's handling of the "typecontainerid" parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted input in this parameter and tricks an authenticated user into clicking the link, the application reflects the malicious content back to the user's browser session. This allows the attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes within the context of the victim's authenticated session, potentially enabling full compromise of the user's access privileges and the underlying system resources they can reach through the NetIQ Access Manager.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive organizational resources. Since the vulnerability targets authenticated users within the NetIQ Access Manager environment, successful exploitation could allow attackers to access privileged functions, view confidential data, modify access controls, or even redirect users to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the attack means that the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques, where attackers craft malicious links and distribute them through phishing campaigns or compromised websites to target specific users within the organization.
Organizations utilizing NetIQ Access Manager versions prior to 4.3.3 face significant risk exposure from this vulnerability, as it directly violates fundamental web security principles and could be exploited to undermine the entire access control infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection within web applications. Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided patch for version 4.3.3 or higher, while implementing additional network-level protections such as web application firewalls and input validation measures to mitigate potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the official NetIQ patch addressing this vulnerability, combined with comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while conducting thorough security assessments to identify any other vulnerable components within their access management infrastructure. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be reinforced to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the organization's security infrastructure, particularly given the critical nature of access management systems in enterprise environments.