CVE-2018-19773 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "EditCurrentUser.jsp" has reflected XSS via the GroupId and ConnPoolName parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19773 represents a cross site scripting flaw within InfoVista VistaPortal SE version 5.1 build 51029. This security weakness resides in the EditCurrentUser.jsp web page component which fails to properly sanitize user input parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the GroupId and ConnPoolName parameters, which are reflected back to users without adequate output encoding or validation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as a common web application security flaw where malicious scripts are injected into otherwise benign web pages. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker can craft malicious payloads that will be executed in the victim's browser when the vulnerable page is accessed with the crafted parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a vector to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user information, or redirect victims to malicious websites. When an attacker successfully injects malicious JavaScript code through the GroupId or ConnPoolName parameters, the script executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the application with the victim's privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering tactics involving malicious payloads delivered through web interfaces. The reflected XSS nature makes this particularly dangerous as it requires minimal interaction from the victim beyond visiting a specially crafted URL, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the EditCurrentUser.jsp page. The application fails to implement proper sanitization routines for user-supplied parameters before they are rendered back to the user interface. This lack of input filtering creates an environment where malicious payloads can be seamlessly integrated into the application's response without proper context-aware encoding. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where user input is treated as trusted data without proper validation. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the application, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information within the VistaPortal SE environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameter sanitization using context-appropriate encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding for web page content. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection against script execution. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards, emphasizing the need for consistent input validation and output encoding across all web application components. Patch management procedures should be implemented to ensure timely deployment of vendor security updates when available.