CVE-2018-18248 in Web 2
Summary
by MITRE
Icinga Web 2 has XSS via the /icingaweb2/monitoring/list/services dir parameter, the /icingaweb2/user/list query string, the /icingaweb2/monitoring/timeline query string, or the /icingaweb2/setup query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2020
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in Icinga Web 2 version 2.6.1 and earlier, affecting multiple endpoints including services listing, user management, timeline functionality, and setup pages. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious script code through the dir parameter in the services endpoint, or through query string parameters in user and timeline functionalities, as well as the setup interface. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. This issue directly maps to CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute malicious scripts within the victim's browser environment. The impact is significant as Icinga Web 2 is commonly used for monitoring and managing critical infrastructure, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access to network monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Icinga for operational technology monitoring, potentially compromising the integrity of their monitoring data and exposing sensitive operational information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input is directly incorporated into HTML output without proper sanitization or encoding. The affected parameters in the monitoring/list/services endpoint, user/list, monitoring/timeline, and setup query strings all fail to validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through any of these vectors, the application processes the input without sufficient filtering, allowing the injected script to execute when the page is rendered in a victim's browser. This type of vulnerability typically arises from a lack of consistent input validation across all application endpoints and insufficient output encoding practices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple functional areas of the application, suggesting a systemic issue in the application's security architecture rather than an isolated flaw. Organizations using Icinga Web 2 are vulnerable to attacks that could compromise their monitoring infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate or hide monitoring alerts, steal administrative credentials, or gain unauthorized access to network monitoring systems.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patch for Icinga Web 2 version 2.6.2 or later, which addresses this cross-site scripting vulnerability through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The patch implementation should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all affected endpoints properly sanitize user input before rendering it in web responses. Security teams should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity related to these specific endpoints. Additionally, organizations should implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific parameters. The mitigation strategy should also include user education about the risks of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites that might exploit this vulnerability. Regular security audits should be conducted to verify that all application components properly handle user input and that output encoding is consistently applied across all endpoints. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within their environment, as this vulnerability pattern is commonly found in applications that fail to properly validate or encode user-supplied data. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding across all affected application paths, ensuring that user-provided data cannot be interpreted as executable code.