CVE-2018-19817 in VistaPortal SE
Summary
by MITRE
Cross Site Scripting exists in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1 (build 51029). The page "/VPortal/mgtconsole/AdminAuthorisationFrame.jsp" has reflected XSS via the ConnPoolName or GroupId parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19817 represents a cross site scripting flaw in InfoVista VistaPortal SE Version 5.1, specifically within the administrative console interface. This issue manifests in the AdminAuthorisationFrame.jsp page which processes user input through the ConnPoolName or GroupId parameters, creating a reflected cross site scripting vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code within the context of authenticated users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling logic, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that when executed by victims with appropriate privileges, can lead to unauthorized actions or data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the typical reflected XSS pattern where user-supplied data flows directly from the HTTP request to the web page response without proper sanitization or encoding. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script payloads in either the ConnPoolName or GroupId parameters and persuades a victim user with administrative privileges to click the link, the malicious code gets executed in the victim's browser context. This reflected nature means the attack payload is not stored on the server but is instead delivered and executed immediately through the vulnerable parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in administrative contexts where the affected users typically possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or manipulate administrative functions within the VistaPortal system. Given that the affected page is part of the management console, successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive system configurations, modify user permissions, or potentially gain full administrative control over the portal environment. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can deliver payloads through various vectors including email phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics that trick users into clicking malicious links.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's parameter handling processes. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user inputs before they are processed or displayed, implementing proper HTML encoding for dynamic content, and utilizing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script patterns, while ensuring that all administrative interfaces enforce strict access controls and session management practices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks, making it a critical security concern that requires immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation and maintain system integrity.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar reflected XSS vulnerabilities across their web applications, while also implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect such issues during the development lifecycle. The administrative nature of the vulnerable page increases the risk profile significantly, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where VistaPortal systems are deployed for critical infrastructure management.