CVE-2017-9537 in Network Performance Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) in the Add Node function of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor version 12.0.15300.90 allows remote attackers to introduce arbitrary JavaScript into various vulnerable parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9537 represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw within SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor version 12.0.15300.90 specifically affecting the Add Node function. This weakness enables remote attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into vulnerable parameters, creating a persistent security risk that can affect multiple users within the monitored network environment. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web interface of the network monitoring solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the Add Node functionality. When administrators or users interact with the node addition process, the application fails to properly validate and encode input parameters before storing or rendering them in web pages. This allows attackers to submit malicious payloads through various input fields that are then persisted in the application's database and executed whenever the affected pages are accessed by legitimate users. The flaw operates as a server-side persistent XSS vulnerability, meaning the malicious code remains stored within the application and executes against users who view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant risks for network security monitoring operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute against all users who access the affected functionality, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire network monitoring infrastructure. This threat is particularly severe given that SolarWinds NPM is commonly used for critical network monitoring and management tasks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-79 weakness classification, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique for 'Command and Control' through 'Web Shell' or 'Phishing' methods, as attackers can leverage the persistent XSS to establish persistent access to the monitored network environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding, and regular security updates to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious activities within the SolarWinds environment can help detect exploitation attempts and limit the potential impact of such attacks on the broader network infrastructure.