CVE-2017-8991 in CentralView Fraud Risk Management
Summary
by MITRE
HPE has identified a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in HPE CentralView Fraud Risk Management earlier than version CV 6.1. This isssue is resolved in HF16 for HPE CV 6.1 or subsequent version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8991 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within HPE CentralView Fraud Risk Management software. This vulnerability affects versions prior to CV 6.1 and specifically impacts the web-based user interface components that handle user input. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web framework, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of client-side script injection that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when untrusted data is processed and rendered within the web application without proper sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in fraud risk management environments where sensitive financial data and user credentials are handled, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical systems. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data within HTML contexts, making it possible for attackers to inject script tags or other malicious content that executes when other users view affected pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can severely compromise the security posture of organizations using HPE CentralView Fraud Risk Management. In a fraud detection environment, where the integrity of data and user sessions is paramount, an attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially manipulate fraud detection results, access sensitive financial information, or escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the web interface components that process user inputs, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users interact with the system simultaneously. Organizations relying on this fraud management solution face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, especially in industries governed by financial regulations such as PCI DSS, SOX, and various banking compliance standards.
HPE addressed this vulnerability through the release of HF16 patch for HPE CV 6.1 and subsequent versions, which implements proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. The mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched version or applying the hotfix as recommended by HPE security advisories. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, regular security assessments, and user education about recognizing potential XSS attack vectors. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks including spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, as the vulnerability could be exploited through crafted web content. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to ensure proper implementation of the patch and verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase.