CVE-2018-19809 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "/VPortal/mgtconsole/GroupCopy.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName, GroupId, or type parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
This cross site scripting vulnerability in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 represents a critical security flaw that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the GroupCopy.jsp management console page where user input parameters are not properly sanitized or validated. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the ConnPoolName, GroupId, or type parameters to inject malicious javascript code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected back to the user without being stored on the server, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines cross site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves using web applications to execute malicious code against users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability exists in the management console, successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative privileges or access to sensitive configuration data. The affected parameters ConnPoolName, GroupId, and type suggest this vulnerability impacts group management functionality within the portal, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate user groups or connection pools. The reflected XSS nature means that exploitation requires social engineering to convince victims to click malicious links, but once clicked, the attack executes automatically in the victim's browser session. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper output encoding and input sanitization mechanisms in web applications. Organizations using this version of VistaPortal should immediately consider patching or implementing temporary mitigations such as web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The security implications of this vulnerability underscore the critical need for comprehensive web application security testing and proper security coding practices. The vulnerability exists in a management interface which typically contains sensitive information and administrative controls, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to network resources. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core management functionality of the application and can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The reflected XSS attack pattern represents one of the most common web application vulnerabilities and demonstrates the persistent challenges organizations face in properly validating and sanitizing user input. Security practitioners should implement comprehensive testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software updated and maintaining security patches, as this issue was likely resolved in subsequent versions of the software. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that could exploit this type of vulnerability.