CVE-2017-16843 in VDV-23 115
Summary
by MITRE
Vonage VDV-23 115 3.2.11-0.9.40 devices have stored XSS via the NewKeyword or NewDomain field to /goform/RgParentalBasic.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16843 affects Vonage VDV-23 115 3.2.11-0.9.40 devices and represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that resides within the web interface of these networking devices. This particular vulnerability manifests in the parental control functionality where users can define new keywords or domains through the /goform/RgParentalBasic endpoint. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into the system that persistently remain stored within the device's configuration, making it a stored XSS vulnerability rather than a reflected one. The affected fields NewKeyword and NewDomain serve as entry points for this attack vector, enabling malicious actors to inject script code that executes whenever the affected page is loaded or accessed by any user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application interface of the Vonage device. When users submit data through the NewKeyword or NewDomain fields, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before storing it in the device's configuration database. This oversight allows malicious payloads to be stored verbatim without proper escaping or encoding, creating a persistent threat that can be executed against any user who accesses the parental control configuration page. The vulnerability specifically targets the web form handling mechanism that processes user input for the parental control settings, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the context of the authenticated user's session.
The operational impact of this stored XSS vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the device's web interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, modify parental control settings, or even gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the malicious code will continue to execute whenever users access the affected configuration pages, potentially affecting multiple users over time. This vulnerability undermines the security posture of the device by allowing unauthorized modifications to the parental control system, which could be exploited to bypass content filtering or gain additional privileges within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16843 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Vonage to address the underlying input validation issues. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these administrative interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the device configuration pages. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can help detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to identify similar vulnerabilities in other embedded systems that may be running outdated firmware versions. The attack surface of this vulnerability is particularly concerning for home and small office networks where device management interfaces may be exposed to untrusted users or networks.