CVE-2018-19770 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "Users.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19770 represents a cross site scripting flaw within InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1, specifically manifesting in the Users.jsp web page component. This issue arises from improper input validation and output encoding practices that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic reflected cross site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through the ConnPoolName parameter within the Users.jsp page, where user input is directly reflected back to the browser without appropriate sanitization or encoding measures. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through this parameter, the web application fails to properly escape or encode the input before rendering it in the HTML response. This creates an environment where malicious JavaScript code can be executed within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload must be crafted to be submitted by an attacker and then executed by a victim, typically through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session manipulation attacks that compromise the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions within the VistaPortal environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user authentication tokens, access restricted administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites that can further exploit the compromised sessions. Given that this vulnerability affects the user management component of the application, successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive user data, potentially compromising the entire portal infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves using valid accounts to access resources, as compromised sessions could allow lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19770 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly within the Users.jsp page and similar user-facing components. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and ensure all user inputs are properly sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this reflects a broader pattern of insufficient input sanitization practices that may exist throughout the application. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and applying security patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities in third-party applications.