CVE-2018-19386 in Database Performance
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer 11.1.457 contains an instance of Reflected XSS in its idcStateError component, where the page parameter is reflected into the HREF of the 'Try Again' Button on the page, aka a /iwc/idcStateError.iwc?page= URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19386 affects SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer version 11.1.457 and represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the idcStateError component. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of the page parameter within the HREF attribute of a 'Try Again' button, specifically when accessed through the /iwc/idcStateError.iwc?page= URI endpoint. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response by manipulating the page parameter, which is then reflected back to users who click on the vulnerable button.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic reflected XSS pattern where user input flows directly into the HTTP response without proper sanitization or encoding. When the page parameter is passed through the URI and subsequently embedded into the HREF attribute of the 'Try Again' button, any malicious script content within that parameter gets executed in the victim's browser context. This occurs because the application fails to properly encode or validate the input before incorporating it into the dynamic HTML output. The vulnerability specifically targets the idcStateError component which handles error states in the application's iwc (Internet Web Components) framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during error conditions when users might be more likely to interact with the page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. An attacker could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated user, would execute scripts that could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim within the application. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the attack vector requires user interaction through a specially crafted URL, making it a server-side vulnerability that relies on social engineering to be effective. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers the use of spearphishing attachments to gain initial access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19386 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SolarWinds application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before incorporating it into dynamic HTML elements, particularly within URL parameters that are reflected back to users. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution even if the vulnerability is exploited. Organizations should also consider applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates as soon as they become available, as SolarWinds would have likely released a fix addressing this specific XSS vulnerability. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect suspicious URL patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, particularly around the identified URI endpoint. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of web applications should include thorough testing of input validation mechanisms to identify similar reflected XSS vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.