CVE-2017-8993 in Portfolio Management
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in HPE Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) version v9.30, v9.31, v9.32, v9.40 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2017-8993 represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw discovered in HPE Project and Portfolio Management software versions 9.30, 9.31, 9.32, and 9.40. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting attacks where malicious scripts are injected into web applications. The flaw exists in the web interface of the PPM platform, which is commonly used by organizations for managing project portfolios and resource allocation. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the application's web interface, potentially compromising user sessions and accessing sensitive data. Given that PPM systems are often deployed in enterprise environments where they handle critical business information, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizational security.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through various input fields within the PPM interface, including project descriptions, resource names, or other editable content areas. When other users view these manipulated entries, the injected scripts execute in their browsers, potentially stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the victims. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because PPM systems typically contain sensitive business data, project timelines, resource allocations, and financial information that could be accessed or modified by unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8993 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise environments. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can leverage the compromised session to perform administrative actions, modify project data, or gain access to other interconnected systems. This represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for script execution, where adversaries use web-based attack vectors to execute malicious code. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566.001 techniques for social engineering through spearphishing, as attackers might craft malicious project entries or resource requests to entice users into executing the injected scripts. Organizations using these PPM versions face potential business disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for HPE PPM versions 9.30 through 9.40 to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to monitor and block suspicious traffic patterns. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented at the application level to prevent future exploitation attempts, following secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of the PPM environment should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across enterprise applications, as this flaw existed in multiple versions of the software, indicating a need for more robust vulnerability management processes. Additionally, user awareness training should be implemented to educate personnel about recognizing potentially malicious entries in project management systems and understanding the risks associated with untrusted content.