CVE-2017-16802 in MISP
Summary
by MITRE
In the sharingGroupPopulateOrganisations function in app/webroot/js/misp.js in MISP 2.4.82, there is XSS via a crafted organisation name that is manually added.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16802 represents a cross-site scripting weakness within the MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) threat intelligence platform version 2.4.82. This flaw exists specifically within the sharingGroupPopulateOrganisations function located in the app/webroot/js/misp.js JavaScript file, making it a client-side security issue that could potentially compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted organisation name and manually adds it to the system, allowing for arbitrary script execution in the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, representing one of the most common and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities. The MISP platform, designed for collaborative threat intelligence sharing among security professionals, becomes susceptible to attacks that could enable adversaries to execute malicious scripts against users who view affected data within the platform's interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output encoding within the JavaScript code that handles organisation data display within sharing groups. When a user manually adds an organisation name containing malicious script content, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape this input before rendering it in the browser. The sharingGroupPopulateOrganisations function processes this data without adequate protection mechanisms, allowing the crafted payload to be executed as JavaScript when other users browse the affected sharing group. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic XSS attack vector where the malicious input is not properly neutralized during the data rendering process, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can access session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack requires minimal privileges as it operates through the legitimate user interface for adding organisations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal platform usage patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16802 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise the entire threat intelligence sharing ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session tokens from authenticated users, allowing them to impersonate legitimate users and access sensitive threat intelligence data. The platform's collaborative nature means that compromised users could gain access to information shared within their organisation's groups, potentially exposing critical infrastructure details or threat indicators that should remain confidential. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through command-line interface, as the malicious JavaScript could be designed to establish persistence or exfiltrate data through the compromised user's session. The security implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on MISP for critical threat intelligence sharing, as the compromise of a single user's session could potentially expose the entire sharing network to unauthorized access.
Organizations utilizing MISP version 2.4.82 should implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data within the JavaScript functions that handle organisation names and sharing group data. This includes implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and ensuring that all user-provided content is properly escaped before rendering in the browser. The platform should also implement strict validation of organisation names to reject potentially malicious input patterns, including common XSS attack vectors such as script tags, event handlers, and encoded characters. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known XSS patterns in real-time traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches, as this specific issue was addressed in subsequent versions of the MISP platform through improved input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Regular security audits of JavaScript code and input validation routines should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that could exist in other parts of the application, particularly focusing on areas where user-generated content is rendered without proper sanitization.