CVE-2018-15699 in Data Master
Summary
by MITRE
ASUSTOR Data Master 3.1.5 and below makes an HTTP request for a configuration file that is vulnerable to XSS. A man in the middle can take advantage of this by inserting Javascript into the configuration files Version field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15699 affects ASUSTOR Data Master versions 3.1.5 and earlier, presenting a significant cross-site scripting risk through insecure configuration file handling. This flaw manifests when the application performs HTTP requests to fetch configuration files, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject malicious javascript code into the Version field of these configuration files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's configuration processing pipeline, allowing arbitrary code execution when the compromised configuration data is parsed and rendered by the client-side application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting, specifically categorized as a reflected XSS variant where the malicious payload originates from server-side configuration data rather than user input directly submitted to the application. The attack requires a man-in-the-middle position to successfully compromise the configuration file transmission, exploiting the lack of secure communication channels or content integrity verification mechanisms. When the vulnerable application processes the compromised configuration file, the javascript code embedded in the Version field executes within the context of the user's browser session, potentially enabling full client-side compromise. This type of attack vector is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ASUSTOR Data Master is used for critical data management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the compromised environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to systems managed through ASUSTOR Data Master, potentially gaining access to sensitive enterprise data stored in network attached storage environments. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the configuration management process, undermining trust in the application's security posture and potentially enabling attackers to modify legitimate configuration parameters to further their attack objectives. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable software version is deployed, making it particularly concerning for organizations that may not regularly update their storage management applications.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates to versions beyond 3.1.5 where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks targeting configuration file transfers, while also establishing secure communication protocols using HTTPS with proper certificate validation. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and input validation controls at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all ASUSTOR Data Master installations within their environment, ensuring that all instances are updated to patched versions and that network segmentation prevents unauthorized access to configuration file distribution points. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure configuration management practices and the necessity of implementing proper input validation controls for all external data sources in enterprise storage management applications.