CVE-2018-8032 in Axis
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Axis 1.x up to and including 1.4 is vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack in the default servlet/services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2024
Apache Axis 1.x versions up to and including 1.4 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the default servlet and service pages that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability resides in the default web interface that displays available services and servlet information, making it accessible to any user who can reach the Axis web application. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input or output escaping in the default service listing pages, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious javascript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where input data is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered in web pages. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the service listing interface to inject malicious content that can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious sites. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, data exfiltration, and phishing attacks that exploit the trust relationship between users and the web application. The default servlet and service pages in Axis 1.x applications are particularly susceptible because they often display service names, endpoints, and other metadata without adequate input sanitization. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious input that gets reflected back in the service listing, potentially bypassing security controls that might be in place for other application components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers script injection attacks, and specifically targets the web application layer where users interact with the Axis service interface. Organizations running Axis 1.x applications should consider upgrading to newer versions or implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed in the context of legitimate users. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental security gap in the default configuration of Axis 1.x applications, highlighting the importance of proper security hardening and input validation in web applications that expose service information to end users. The risk is particularly high in environments where Axis services are exposed to untrusted users or where the default servlet pages are not properly secured or restricted from public access. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of all Axis 1.x deployments to identify and remediate this vulnerability before it can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.