CVE-2017-9655 in PI Integrator for Business Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Scripting issue was discovered in OSIsoft PI Integrator for Business Analytics before 2016 R2, PI Integrator for Microsoft Azure before 2016 R2 SP1, and PI Integrator for SAP HANA before 2017. An attacker may be able to upload a malicious script that attempts to redirect users to a malicious web site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9655 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in OSIsoft PI Integrator products, specifically affecting versions prior to 2016 R2 for Business Analytics, 2016 R2 SP1 for Microsoft Azure, and 2017 for SAP HANA. This vulnerability resides within the web interface components of these industrial analytics platforms, which are designed to facilitate data integration and business intelligence operations within industrial environments. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious scripts that execute within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising the integrity of the analytics platform and the sensitive operational data it processes. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in web applications that allow attackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This type of vulnerability particularly affects industrial control systems and operational technology environments where PI Integrator serves as a critical data aggregation and visualization tool for process control and monitoring operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious scripts that leverage the platform's file upload functionality to bypass security controls. When users access web pages containing the malicious content, the script executes in their browser context, potentially redirecting them to attacker-controlled domains or performing unauthorized actions within the application. The attack vector typically involves uploading files with malicious payloads through the platform's web interface, where the system fails to validate or sanitize the content before storing and serving it to other users. This creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be triggered whenever affected users view pages containing the malicious content. The impact extends beyond simple redirection attacks as the vulnerability may allow for session hijacking, data theft, or even privilege escalation within the application. The attack surface is particularly concerning in industrial environments where these platforms often contain sensitive operational data and may be integrated with critical infrastructure systems, making them attractive targets for advanced persistent threats.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on OSIsoft PI Integrator for industrial analytics and business intelligence. Unauthorized access to the platform could lead to data manipulation, loss of operational integrity, or compromise of industrial control systems that depend on accurate data flow. The vulnerability exposes organizations to potential supply chain attacks where malicious actors might target these specific versions of the software, particularly given that they represent legacy systems that may not receive regular updates. Security teams face challenges in identifying and remediating this issue as it requires careful assessment of the web interface components and their interaction with user-generated content. The risk is compounded by the fact that these industrial analytics platforms often operate in environments with limited internet connectivity, making patch management more complex. Organizations implementing the affected versions may be vulnerable to targeted attacks that exploit this weakness to gain deeper access to their industrial control networks, potentially leading to operational disruptions or safety incidents. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious file delivery, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreter techniques used to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9655 require immediate action to upgrade to supported versions of OSIsoft PI Integrator that contain proper input validation and output encoding controls. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected web interfaces and establish strict file upload policies that validate file types and content before allowing uploads. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unauthorized file uploads and unusual user behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not disrupt existing industrial processes or data flows. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script payloads, establishing regular security assessments of industrial web applications, and maintaining current threat intelligence on vulnerabilities affecting operational technology systems. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches for industrial software and highlights the need for robust security practices in operational technology environments where traditional cybersecurity controls may not be sufficient.