CVE-2018-9027 in Privileged Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in CA Privileged Access Manager 2.x allows remote attackers to execute malicious script with a specially crafted link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9027 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within CA Privileged Access Manager version 2.x systems. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within HTTP response headers, specifically affecting the authentication and session management components. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into web responses. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by authenticated users, execute arbitrary scripts within the victim's browser context. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates in a privileged environment where users already possess elevated access rights, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw occurring when untrusted data is embedded into web pages without proper sanitization. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script payload is reflected off the web server in response to a crafted request, rather than being stored on the server. This characteristic makes the attack more difficult to detect and mitigate compared to stored XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the authentication process where user session tokens and other sensitive parameters are processed, creating a pathway for attackers to hijack user sessions or execute unauthorized actions. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding, which are fundamental security controls that should prevent such injection attacks from succeeding.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9027 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation within the privileged access management environment. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can manipulate the application's behavior to redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or inject malicious code that persists during user sessions. The attack surface is particularly concerning in privileged access management systems where users maintain administrative privileges over critical infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. This vulnerability undermines the security posture of organizations relying on CA Privileged Access Manager for controlling privileged accounts, as it creates a vector for attackers to bypass the very protections these systems are designed to enforce.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and proper header sanitization to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and ensuring proper input sanitization at all entry points. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their privileged access management systems, review authentication mechanisms, and implement multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential session hijacking. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of CA Privileged Access Manager, implementing regular security testing procedures, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous user behavior. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding controls that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.