CVE-2017-8000 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
In EMC RSA Authentication Manager 8.2 SP1 and earlier, a malicious RSA Security Console Administrator could craft a token profile and store the profile name in the RSA Authentication Manager database. The profile name could include a crafted script (with an XSS payload) that could be executed when viewing or editing the assigned token profile in the token by another administrator's browser session.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8000 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within EMC RSA Authentication Manager version 8.2 SP1 and earlier deployments. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the token profile management functionality of the RSA Security Console. The vulnerability specifically affects the database storage and subsequent rendering of profile names, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject executable script code into what should be benign administrative data fields.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of token profile names within the RSA Authentication Manager database. An attacker with existing administrative privileges on the RSA Security Console can craft a malicious profile name containing XSS payload code that gets stored persistently in the system database. When other administrators subsequently view or edit this compromised token profile through their browser sessions, the embedded script executes within their browser context, potentially compromising their sessions and enabling further attack vectors.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript. The operational impact extends beyond simple session hijacking as the malicious script execution could potentially enable attackers to access sensitive authentication data, manipulate token assignments, or escalate privileges within the authentication system. The persistence of the vulnerability through database storage means that even if the initial administrative session is closed, the malicious payload remains active and will execute whenever the compromised profile is accessed.
The attack scenario requires an attacker to already possess administrative privileges on the RSA Security Console, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a direct remote code execution flaw. However, the impact remains severe as it allows for persistent malicious activity within the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability affects all administrators who might view or edit token profiles, creating a broad attack surface that could compromise multiple administrative sessions over time.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization of profile names, enhanced administrative session monitoring, and regular security audits of authentication manager configurations. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious script content, implementing strict input validation policies, and conducting regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in authentication infrastructure components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation and establish automated monitoring for suspicious administrative activities within the RSA Authentication Manager environment.