CVE-2017-2683 in RUGGEDCOM NMS
Summary
by MITRE
A non-privileged user of the Siemens web application RUGGEDCOM NMS < V1.2 on port 8080/TCP and 8081/TCP could perform a persistent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack, potentially resulting in obtaining administrative permissions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2683 represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw within the Siemens web application RUGGEDCOM Network Management System version 1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the web interface components that handle user input processing on ports 8080 and 8081, which are commonly used for network management and administrative access to ruggedized networking equipment. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface, which then persist and execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring privileged access, making it accessible to any user with network connectivity to the affected ports, thereby violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the RUGGEDCOM NMS web application. When users interact with the management interface through the exposed TCP ports, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be stored and executed in subsequent user sessions. The persistence aspect of this vulnerability means that the injected scripts are stored server-side and executed whenever other users access affected pages, creating a continuous attack vector that can propagate through the user base. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input data is not properly validated or encoded, and represents a classic case of insecure data handling in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially lead to complete administrative compromise of the network management system. An attacker who successfully injects malicious scripts could escalate privileges to administrative levels, gaining full control over network configuration, user management, and access controls. This represents a significant threat to network infrastructure security, particularly in industrial environments where RUGGEDCOM devices are commonly deployed. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of the affected services, which typically operate in environments with limited network segmentation, making it easier for attackers to reach the vulnerable ports. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering campaigns, automated scanning tools, or by leveraging other initial access points within the network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network management systems are critical to operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate the vulnerable services from general network access, particularly restricting access to ports 8080 and 8081 to authorized administrative users only. The most effective immediate mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or upgrading to version 1.2 or later of the RUGGEDCOM NMS software, which contains proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, particularly targeting the specific patterns associated with cross-site scripting attacks. Additionally, regular security monitoring should be implemented to detect any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within the network infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "Cross-Site Scripting" with potential for privilege escalation, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.