CVE-2017-3967 in Network Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Target influence via framing vulnerability in the web interface in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) before 8.2.7.42.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via application pages inability to break out of 3rd party HTML frames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3967 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) version 8.2.7.42.2 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the web interface component of the security management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for network traffic monitoring and security policy enforcement. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's frame handling functionality, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input when rendering content within HTML frames. When legitimate users interact with the NSM web interface, the application processes data through third-party frame elements that do not adequately escape or validate incoming content. This creates a condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code that gets executed within the context of other users' browser sessions. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to break out of frame boundaries, allowing attackers to manipulate the frame content through crafted input payloads that bypass standard security controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise security infrastructure as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from any location without requiring physical access to the network. The impact extends beyond simple XSS exploitation as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks such as phishing campaigns, where malicious scripts can redirect users to fraudulent websites or harvest sensitive information from authenticated sessions. The vulnerability affects the core management interface, potentially compromising the integrity of security policies and network monitoring capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations utilizing McAfee NSM are particularly vulnerable since the web interface serves as the primary management point for security operations, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise network security infrastructure. The lack of proper input validation and output encoding creates a persistent vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions and potentially affect the entire security management ecosystem. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious frame-based content to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3967 primarily involve immediate patching of affected NSM installations to version 8.2.7.42.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls, enhanced input validation, and regular security assessments of web interfaces. Network administrators should monitor for unusual frame content and implement strict access controls for the NSM management interface. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security awareness training for administrators can help reduce the risk of successful exploitation through this and similar vulnerabilities.