CVE-2017-7554 in RHMAP
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that the App Studio component of RHMAP 4.4 executes javascript provided by a user. An attacker could use this flaw to execute a stored XSS attack on an application administrator using App Studio.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7554 represents a critical security flaw within the App Studio component of Red Hat Mobile Application Platform version 4.4. This issue stems from the platform's improper handling of user-provided javascript content, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of administrator sessions. The vulnerability specifically affects the application development and management interface, where administrators interact with the platform's visual studio-like environment to build and configure mobile applications. The flaw exists in the input validation and output encoding mechanisms that should prevent user-supplied javascript from being executed in administrative contexts, creating a dangerous attack vector that undermines the platform's security model.
This vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw that allows attackers to persist malicious javascript code within the platform's application development environment. When an administrator accesses an application that contains the malicious javascript payload, the code executes in the administrator's browser context, potentially granting the attacker elevated privileges and access to sensitive administrative functions. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws occurring when untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The flaw operates through the platform's user interface where developers can add custom javascript to their applications, and the system fails to adequately sanitize this input before rendering it in administrative contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7554 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain administrative control over the entire RHMAP platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands on behalf of administrators, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to other applications hosted on the platform. The attack vector operates through the App Studio component's lack of proper input sanitization, allowing malicious javascript to be stored and subsequently executed when administrators view or interact with affected applications. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers script-based execution through javascript, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the platform for mobile application development and deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7554 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the App Studio component to prevent user-provided javascript from being executed in administrative contexts. Organizations should immediately apply available patches or updates from Red Hat to address the vulnerability, while also implementing additional security controls such as content security policies, input sanitization, and regular security assessments of the platform's development environment. The remediation process should include disabling or restricting user javascript execution in administrative contexts, implementing proper sandboxing mechanisms for user code, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect and prevent malicious code injection attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues within the broader application development ecosystem.