CVE-2017-3961 in Network Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web interface in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) before 8.2.7.42.2 allows authenticated users to allow arbitrary HTML code to be reflected in the response web page via crafted user input of attributes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3961 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within McAfee Network Security Management version 8.2.7.42.2 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the web interface component of the network security management system, which is designed to provide administrators with centralized control over network security policies and monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who possess valid credentials to access the NSM web interface, creating a scenario where legitimate users can be exploited to execute malicious code against other users within the same administrative environment.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface. When authenticated users submit crafted malicious input through various attributes or fields within the web interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the user-supplied data before reflecting it back in subsequent HTTP responses. This improper handling allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML code that persists in the web page response, enabling them to execute scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is immediately reflected from the user input back to the browser without being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform sophisticated attacks against the network security management environment. An attacker with authenticated access can manipulate the web interface to inject malicious scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on behalf of the victim user. Given that NSM is typically accessed by network administrators with elevated privileges, successful exploitation could potentially lead to complete compromise of the network security infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the web interface and can undermine the trust model that security administrators rely upon when managing network security policies.
Organizations utilizing McAfee NSM versions prior to 8.2.7.42.2 face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it directly impacts the security posture of their network monitoring and management capabilities. The flaw exists within the application layer of the security infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous since it can be exploited by attackers who have already gained legitimate access to the system through other means. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that administrators regularly interact with the web interface, increasing the probability of exploitation. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells and similar attack vectors that leverage web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3961 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to the latest available version of McAfee NSM that addresses this specific XSS vulnerability. Organizations must also implement additional defensive measures including regular security assessments of web applications, enhanced input validation mechanisms, and comprehensive output encoding practices. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, while also conducting regular security training to ensure personnel understand the risks associated with XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and the necessity of regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in network security infrastructure components.