CVE-2017-8953 in LoadRunner
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HPE LoadRunner v12.53 and earlier and HPE Performance Center version v12.53 and earlier was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8953 represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw affecting HPE LoadRunner and HPE Performance Center software versions up to and including v12.53. This security weakness resides within the web application interfaces of these performance testing tools, which are widely utilized by organizations for load testing and performance monitoring of web applications and systems. The affected products are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where they handle sensitive performance data and user credentials, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the web interfaces of the affected HPE products. Attackers can inject malicious script code through user-controllable parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user-supplied data in web forms, query parameters, and other input vectors within the web administration interfaces of these performance testing tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive data within the performance testing environment. Organizations using these tools may experience unauthorized access to performance test configurations, test results, and potentially sensitive application data that these tools are designed to monitor. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose these tools to external users or maintain web-accessible interfaces for performance testing activities. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8953 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HPE LoadRunner and Performance Center installations to versions that address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement web application firewalls and input validation measures to filter malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable application components. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of these tools to untrusted users. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their performance testing environments and implement proper output encoding mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the 'Web Application Attack' domain, specifically relating to techniques involving client-side code injection. Regular security awareness training for administrators and developers who manage these tools is essential to prevent exploitation through social engineering or misconfigured access controls. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against these vulnerable web interfaces.