CVE-2018-13252 in Entrust Datacard Syntera CS
Summary
by MITRE
Entrust Datacard Syntera CS 5.x has XSS via the name field of "Domain or Computer Name" in the login page.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13252 affects Entrust Datacard Syntera CS version 5.x, specifically targeting the authentication login page interface. This issue represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the name field designated for "Domain or Computer Name" during the login process. The flaw exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-provided data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. This particular vulnerability resides in the authentication component of the system, making it a critical entry point for potential attackers seeking to compromise the environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the Syntera CS login interface. When users enter data into the domain or computer name field, the application fails to properly escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This creates an opportunity for malicious actors to craft payloads that execute within the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application renders user input without proper sanitization, allowing script execution in the victim's browser session. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as failures to properly escape output, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary commands within the context of the authenticated user's browser. Given that this vulnerability affects the login page, it represents a significant threat to the authentication security posture of the system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that a victim visit a maliciously crafted page or be tricked into clicking a link that contains the malicious payload. This vulnerability could be exploited in phishing campaigns or through social engineering tactics that direct users to compromised login pages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13252 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should ensure that all user-provided input is properly sanitized and escaped before being rendered back to the browser, particularly in authentication interfaces where such vulnerabilities are most critical. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for script injection techniques and T1566 for social engineering tactics that could leverage this flaw. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to the latest version of Entrust Datacard Syntera CS where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor has likely addressed the input validation issues in subsequent releases.