CVE-2017-8017 in Network Configuration Manager
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Network Configuration Manager (NCM) 9.3.x, 9.4.0.x, 9.4.1.x, and 9.4.2.x is affected by a reflected cross-site scripting Vulnerability that could potentially be exploited by malicious users to compromise the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8017 affects EMC Network Configuration Manager version 9.3.x through 9.4.2.x, representing a critical security flaw that exposes organizations to potential cyber attacks. This issue manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web applications, potentially compromising system integrity and user data. The affected software operates within network management environments where administrators interact with web-based interfaces to configure and monitor network devices, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities.
The technical flaw in EMC NCM stems from improper input validation and output encoding within the web application's response handling mechanisms. When user-supplied input is reflected back to the browser without adequate sanitization, attackers can craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of other users' sessions. This vulnerability specifically impacts the web interface components that process user requests, allowing attackers to inject script code that gets executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that malicious input is immediately reflected back in the application's response, eliminating the need for persistent storage mechanisms that would typically be required for stored XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and sensitive network configuration data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even executing commands on the affected system with the privileges of the authenticated user. Given that EMC NCM is designed for network administration purposes, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to network infrastructure, disruption of services, and potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 9.4.x release series, indicating a widespread issue that would require coordinated patching efforts across organizations using these network management tools.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official EMC security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new issues. Security teams should also implement additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual patterns of input in web application interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a common entry point for attackers following the ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls as additional defensive measures, while also conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their network management infrastructure.