CVE-2018-18247 in Web 2
Summary
by MITRE
Icinga Web 2 before 2.6.2 has XSS via the /icingaweb2/navigation/add icon parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-18247 represents a cross-site scripting flaw in Icinga Web 2 version 2.6.1 and earlier, specifically affecting the navigation add icon parameter functionality. This issue resides within the web-based interface that organizations use to monitor and manage their IT infrastructure, making it a critical concern for system administrators and security professionals who rely on this monitoring platform. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting attack, where malicious input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the user's browser. The affected parameter /icingaweb2/navigation/add icon parameter allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they navigate to the affected interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload that gets processed through the navigation add icon parameter without proper input validation or output encoding. When a victim accesses the vulnerable Icinga Web 2 interface, their browser executes the injected script code, which can lead to various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability specifically targets the way the application handles user-supplied data in the icon parameter, which is used to configure navigation elements within the web interface. This flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where the application fails to properly encode or validate user-provided parameters before incorporating them into dynamic HTML content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data. Organizations using Icinga Web 2 for critical infrastructure monitoring face significant risks since attackers could potentially steal administrative credentials, manipulate monitoring alerts, or gain unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage XSS to execute malicious scripts that can further compromise the system. Security teams must consider that compromised monitoring interfaces can provide attackers with visibility into network operations, potentially enabling them to identify additional targets or vulnerabilities within the monitored environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18247 include immediate patching of Icinga Web 2 to version 2.6.2 or later, which contains proper input validation and output encoding fixes for the affected parameter. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all dynamic content, and regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in web interfaces that handle user-provided data. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter values that could indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, user education about the risks of clicking untrusted links and the importance of keeping monitoring systems updated remains crucial in defending against such vulnerabilities that exploit trust relationships within web applications.