CVE-2018-19811 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "/VPortal/mgtconsole/Import.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
This vulnerability represents a classic reflected cross site scripting flaw in the InfoVista VistaPortal SE 5.1 application where an attacker can inject malicious scripts into the web application through the ConnPoolName parameter of the Import.jsp page. The vulnerability occurs when user input is directly reflected back to the browser without proper sanitization or encoding, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a critical security risk for web applications that process user-supplied data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious payload that targets the ConnPoolName parameter in the Import.jsp endpoint. When a victim navigates to a specially crafted URL containing the malicious script, the application reflects this input back to the victim's browser, executing the injected JavaScript code. This could potentially allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather executed in response to a specific HTTP request, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft payloads that steal authentication tokens or cookies, potentially gaining administrative access to the VistaPortal system. This vulnerability also violates several security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically targeting the A03:2021-Injection category, which includes XSS as a primary concern. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive system information, particularly since it affects a management console page that likely handles administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input before it is reflected back to the browser, using techniques such as HTML encoding, JavaScript encoding, or Content Security Policy headers. Organizations should also implement proper parameter validation on the ConnPoolName parameter to reject potentially malicious input patterns. Additionally, the application should be updated to the latest version of VistaPortal SE where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and encoding controls. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and implement web application firewalls to detect and prevent such attacks, while also following ATT&CK framework techniques for defending against XSS attacks through proper input validation and output encoding practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from injection-based attacks that can compromise entire systems through seemingly minor input validation flaws.