CVE-2018-19768 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "SubPagePackages.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19768 represents a cross site scripting flaw within InfoVista VistaPortal SE version 5.1 build 51029. This security weakness manifests specifically in the SubPagePackages.jsp web page component which fails to properly sanitize user input parameters. The vulnerability occurs when the application reflects user-supplied data back to the browser without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious script code through the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters, which are directly processed and displayed in the web interface without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation within the application's input handling routines. When the SubPagePackages.jsp page receives the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters, it directly incorporates these values into the HTML response without proper sanitization or encoding. This reflected XSS vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who visit the affected page. The vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS because the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the web application's response rather than being stored in a database or file system. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as a critical threat in web security assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to serious security consequences for the affected organization. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects users who have access to the VistaPortal SE application, potentially compromising the entire user base that interacts with the SubPagePackages.jsp page. This type of vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns where attackers craft malicious URLs containing the XSS payload, or through direct exploitation when users navigate to compromised pages. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that each attack must be individually crafted and delivered to specific targets, but this also makes it more difficult to detect and prevent through automated means. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19768 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of InfoVista VistaPortal SE that addresses this vulnerability. In the interim, implementing proper parameter validation for all user-supplied inputs and applying appropriate HTML encoding to all dynamic content can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The application should sanitize all parameters including ConnPoolName and GroupId before incorporating them into web responses. Security measures should include implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution, regular security scanning of web applications, and comprehensive input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious content. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious parameter patterns can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future application development cycles.