CVE-2018-7508 in PI Web API
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-site Scripting issue was discovered in OSIsoft PI Web API versions 2017 R2 and prior. Cross-site scripting may occur when input is incorrectly neutralized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7508 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within OSIsoft PI Web API versions 2017 R2 and earlier releases. This security weakness stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately neutralize malicious user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability exists in the web application interface that serves as the primary access point for system monitoring and data retrieval operations, making it a significant target for attackers seeking to compromise the system's integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when the application receives user input through various API endpoints without proper sanitization measures. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically occurs in the parameter handling and input processing components of the PI Web API, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without adequate encoding or validation. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, which is categorized as a code quality issue that arises from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive operational data and system functionalities. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability can enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This poses significant risks to industrial control systems and process automation environments where PI Web API serves as a critical interface for monitoring and managing operational technology infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the web-based user interface and API endpoints that handle user input, potentially compromising the integrity of real-time data flows and operational monitoring capabilities.
Organizations utilizing OSIsoft PI Web API versions prior to 2018 R1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper content security policies to prevent exploitation. The recommended remediation strategies include updating to the patched version of the software, implementing web application firewalls, and deploying proper input sanitization mechanisms. Security controls should address both the immediate vulnerability and broader defensive measures aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's web application attack patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their operational technology environments to identify potential secondary impacts and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in interconnected systems.