CVE-2018-19775 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "Variables.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19775 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1, specifically manifesting in the Variables.jsp page. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability affects the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters, which when manipulated by an attacker can inject malicious script code into the web application's response. This reflected XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or complete compromise of the user's session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper sanitization controls for parameters received through HTTP requests. When the Variables.jsp page processes the ConnPoolName and GroupId parameters without adequate validation or encoding, it directly reflects user input into the HTML response without proper escaping or sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed in the victim's browser, as the application treats the injected script code as legitimate content rather than potentially harmful input. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute unauthorized administrative actions within the application. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing encoded script payloads that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, will execute the malicious code in the victim's browser context. This creates a significant risk for organizations using InfoVista VistaPortal SE, as compromised user sessions could lead to unauthorized access to network resources, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the attack payload is delivered through a malicious link or email, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, through proper HTML encoding and validation routines. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Additionally, the application should employ proper parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input before processing. Regular security testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with the implementation of automated security scanning tools to detect and remediate such issues proactively. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and applying vendor security patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.