CVE-2018-5071 in Sea Tel
Summary
by MITRE
Persistent XSS exists in the web server on Cobham Sea Tel 116 build 222429 satellite communication system devices: remote attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code using the device's TELNET shell built-in commands, as demonstrated by the "set ship name" command. This is similar to a Cross Protocol Injection with SNMP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5071 represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw within the Cobham Sea Tel 116 satellite communication system running build 222429. This security weakness resides in the device's web server implementation and specifically affects the TELNET shell built-in commands, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows remote adversaries to execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of the affected web application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to inject persistent malicious scripts that can affect all users who interact with the compromised system, making it a significant threat to operational security and data integrity in maritime communication environments.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of user input within the web server's command processing mechanisms, particularly when executing the "set ship name" command. This command appears to accept user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript payloads that are subsequently stored and executed whenever the affected web interface is accessed. The vulnerability exhibits characteristics similar to Cross Protocol Injection attacks as noted in the description, where the injection occurs across different communication protocols, specifically leveraging the TELNET shell interface to manipulate the web server's response handling. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and more precisely aligns with CWE-80 which describes the execution of code from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the web interface and potentially broader system capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish long-term presence within the maritime communication infrastructure, enabling them to monitor communications, manipulate system configurations, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code remains active until manually removed, creating a continuous threat vector that could compromise sensitive maritime operations and communication security. This vulnerability particularly threatens the integrity of ship name data and could be used to create confusion in maritime traffic management systems or to impersonate legitimate vessels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5071 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures within the web server's command processing pipeline, particularly for all user-supplied data entering through the TELNET shell interface. Organizations should implement proper output encoding for all dynamic content generated by the web server to prevent script execution in browser contexts, and establish robust parameter validation for all commands that accept user input. The remediation approach should include applying vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to these critical communication systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input sanitization as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework, particularly addressing the risks associated with unvalidated inputs and inadequate output encoding in web applications.