CVE-2017-9767 in CloudShell
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Quali CloudShell before 8 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name or (2) Description parameter to RM/Reservation/ReserveNew; the (3) Description parameter to RM/Topology/Update; the (4) Name, (5) Description, (6) ExecutionBatches[0].Name, (7) ExecutionBatches[0].Description, or (8) Labels parameter to SnQ/JobTemplate/Edit; or (9) Alias or (10) Description parameter to RM/AbstractTemplate/AddOrUpdateAbstractTemplate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The CVE-2017-9767 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Quali CloudShell version 8 and earlier, exposing organizations to significant web application security risks. This vulnerability affects multiple endpoints within the CloudShell platform, specifically targeting parameters used in reservation, topology, job template, and abstract template management functions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious script code through various parameter fields, potentially compromising user sessions and executing unauthorized actions within the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability impacts both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers who can leverage the XSS vectors to manipulate the application's behavior and access sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw manifests across multiple attack surfaces including reservation management, topology updates, job template editing, and abstract template operations, demonstrating a systemic weakness in the application's data handling architecture. When users interact with the affected parameters such as Name, Description, ExecutionBatches[0].Name, or Labels, the application fails to sanitize input data before incorporating it into dynamic HTML content. This allows malicious actors to inject script payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple API endpoints suggests a fundamental flaw in the platform's input validation framework rather than isolated implementation issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9767 extends beyond simple script injection, creating potential pathways for advanced persistent threats and privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to the CloudShell environment, potentially compromising the entire cloud orchestration infrastructure. The attack surface includes critical administrative functions such as reservation management and topology updates, which could enable attackers to manipulate network configurations or access sensitive deployment information. Organizations utilizing Quali CloudShell may experience unauthorized data access, service disruption, or complete system compromise depending on the attacker's objectives and the level of access granted to compromised accounts. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about the cloud infrastructure, and potentially escalate privileges through session manipulation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9767 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected endpoints. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or rendered in web responses, implementing context-appropriate escaping for HTML, JavaScript, and CSS contexts. The recommended approach includes deploying strict input validation rules that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content, implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and utilizing secure coding practices that prevent XSS vulnerabilities at the application level. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, regularly updating the CloudShell platform to version 8 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their cloud orchestration environment. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such vulnerabilities under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape these vulnerabilities create.