CVE-2017-15092 in Recursor
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting issue has been found in the web interface of PowerDNS Recursor from 4.0.0 up to and including 4.0.6, where the qname of DNS queries was displayed without any escaping, allowing a remote attacker to inject HTML and Javascript code into the web interface, altering the content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15092 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in PowerDNS Recursor web interface versions 4.0.0 through 4.0.6. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web administration interface that allows users to monitor DNS query statistics and configuration settings. The flaw stems from improper input sanitization where DNS query names containing the qname parameter are directly rendered in the web interface without appropriate HTML escaping mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the PowerDNS Recursor web interface processes DNS query data and displays the qname field without sanitizing potentially malicious input. Attackers can craft specially formatted DNS queries containing javascript payloads or html tags within the qname portion, which then get rendered in the web interface when administrators view query statistics. This creates a persistent XSS vector where malicious code executes in the context of the victim's browser session with the privileges of the logged-in user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate the web interface content, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites, stealing session cookies, or executing arbitrary commands within the browser environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content manipulation as it compromises the integrity of the DNS monitoring interface that administrators rely upon for security operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to inject malicious scripts that could alter query statistics, hide malicious activity, or even redirect traffic to compromised servers. The vulnerability affects organizations that depend on PowerDNS Recursor for DNS resolution and monitoring, potentially exposing their network infrastructure to further attacks. The web interface typically provides access to sensitive operational data including query patterns, server performance metrics, and configuration details, making this a high-value target for threat actors seeking to gain deeper insights into the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage the interface to create malicious web content that targets other users.
Organizations should immediately update to PowerDNS Recursor versions 4.0.7 or later, which include proper HTML escaping mechanisms for the qname field in web interface displays. The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data rendered in web interfaces, following the OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet guidelines. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while monitoring web interface access logs for suspicious activity patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their DNS infrastructure and ensure that all web-facing components undergo proper security testing including dynamic application security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the broader attack surface. The fix implemented in subsequent versions demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the critical need for regular security updates in network infrastructure components.