CVE-2017-7665 in NiFi
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache NiFi before 0.7.4 and 1.x before 1.3.0, there are certain user input components in the UI which had been guarding for some forms of XSS issues but were insufficient.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
Apache NiFi versions prior to 0.7.4 and 1.x versions before 1.3.0 contained insufficient input validation mechanisms that allowed attackers to exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities through user input components in the web interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a weakness in input validation where user-supplied data was not adequately sanitized before being rendered in the browser context. The affected components included various UI elements that accepted user input without proper encoding or sanitization, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject script code that would execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical flaw manifested in how NiFi handled user-provided data within its graphical user interface, particularly in components that displayed user-entered information without appropriate HTML escaping or content sanitization. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by submitting malicious payloads through input fields, flow file attributes, or other user-controllable parameters that were then rendered in the browser without proper security measures. This insufficient protection mechanism allowed for persistent cross-site scripting attacks where injected scripts could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was significant as it could enable attackers to compromise the integrity of the NiFi user interface and potentially escalate privileges within the system. An attacker with access to the NiFi web interface could execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or unauthorized modifications to data flows. This vulnerability particularly affected organizations that relied on NiFi's web-based management interface for workflow administration, as it created a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by both internal and external attackers. The attack surface was further expanded due to the nature of NiFi's role in data flow management, where compromised interfaces could lead to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability included upgrading to NiFi versions 0.7.4 or 1.3.0 and later, which implemented proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls, regular security assessments of the NiFi interface, and monitoring for suspicious user activity. The remediation process required careful consideration of existing workflows and configurations to ensure that the updated security measures did not inadvertently break existing functionality while providing the necessary protection against cross-site scripting attacks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their data flow management systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly in environments where user interaction is essential for system operation and where sensitive data flows are managed through graphical interfaces.