CVE-2017-5183 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
NetIQ Access Manager 4.2.2 and 4.3.x before 4.3.1+, when configured as an Identity Server, has XSS in the AssertionConsumerServiceURL field of a signed AuthnRequest in a samlp:AuthnRequest document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5183 affects NetIQ Access Manager versions 4.2.2 and 4.3.x prior to 4.3.1+, specifically when the system is configured as an Identity Server. This represents a cross-site scripting flaw that occurs within the AssertionConsumerServiceURL field of SAML authentication requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SAML processing components of the access management solution.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how the system handles the AssertionConsumerServiceURL parameter within SAMLp:AuthnRequest documents. When a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted SAML request containing malicious script code within this field, the system fails to properly sanitize or encode the input before processing it. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when the malformed authentication request is processed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting weakness, specifically manifesting as an injection vulnerability in the SAML protocol implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within enterprise environments that rely on NetIQ Access Manager for identity federation and single sign-on operations. An attacker could leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or privilege escalation. The attack vector requires the victim to process a malicious SAML authentication request, typically through legitimate SAML federation channels, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users trust federation partners. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for 'Modify System Image' and T1566 for 'Phishing' as it enables attackers to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially compromise user sessions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to versions 4.3.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected components and monitor SAML traffic for suspicious patterns. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, validating all SAML request parameters, and conducting regular security assessments of identity federation components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all inputs within SAML processing workflows and the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices in identity management systems to prevent such injection attacks.