CVE-2018-19767 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "PresentSpace.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19767 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1, specifically manifesting in the PresentSpace.jsp page. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and output encoding practices that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The reflected nature of this vulnerability indicates that malicious input is immediately reflected back to users through the web application's response without any legitimate processing, making it particularly dangerous for exploitation. The vulnerability affects two specific parameters - ConnPoolName and GroupId - which are processed within the PresentSpace.jsp page and subsequently rendered in the browser context without appropriate sanitization measures.
This XSS vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities in software applications. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a portal application that likely handles sensitive business data and user information. The reflected XSS nature means that attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed by victims, can perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user within the application's security context. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects parameters that are likely used in legitimate application functionality, making the attack vector more隐蔽 and harder to detect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted resources, or perform unauthorized actions within the application. In a corporate environment where VistaPortal SE is likely used for business-critical operations, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt business processes. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires user interaction with a malicious link, but once executed, the attack can persist until the user's session ends or the page is refreshed. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers Spearphishing Attachments and Links, as attackers could craft malicious URLs to target specific users within the organization. The vulnerability's presence in a portal application also raises concerns about potential lateral movement opportunities if the application has access to other systems or databases within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent script execution. The most effective remediation involves proper sanitization of all user inputs, particularly parameters used in dynamic content generation. Additionally, implementing proper HTTP headers such as X-Content-Type-Options and X-Frame-Options can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly for portal and administrative interfaces that handle sensitive user data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against such attacks and establish incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for security awareness training and secure development lifecycle practices to prevent similar issues in future software releases.