CVE-2019-11997 in enhanced Internet Usage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in HPE enhanced Internet Usage Manager (eIUM) versions 8.3 and 9.0. The vulnerability could be used for unauthorized access to information via cross site scripting. HPE has made the following software updates to resolve the vulnerability in eIUM. The eIUM 8.3 FP01 customers are advised to install eIUM83FP01Patch_QXCR1001711284.20190806-1244 patch. The eIUM 9.0 customers are advised to upgrade to eIUM 9.0 FP02 PI5 or later versions. For other versions, please, contact the product support.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11997 affects HPE enhanced Internet Usage Manager (eIUM) versions 8.3 and 9.0, representing a critical cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw that enables unauthorized access to sensitive information. This security weakness resides within the web-based administrative interface of the eIUM platform, which is designed to monitor and manage internet usage across enterprise networks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into the application's response.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration from the affected system. According to CWE-79, this classification specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities where web applications fail to properly validate or encode user input before including it in dynamically generated web pages. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the user interface components that handle administrative configuration parameters and user data inputs, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the eIUM system manages critical network monitoring and usage data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire network monitoring infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially manipulate usage reports, alter configuration settings, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive network information that the eIUM system is designed to protect. The vulnerability affects both eIUM 8.3 and 9.0 versions, indicating it was likely introduced during a specific code revision or feature implementation that failed to properly address security considerations for web-based inputs. This cross-site scripting flaw represents a significant risk to enterprise security posture, particularly in environments where the eIUM system serves as a central monitoring point for internet usage policies and network access control.
HPE has addressed this vulnerability through targeted patches and version upgrades as recommended in the official advisory. For eIUM 8.3 customers, the installation of eIUM83FP01Patch_QXCR1001711284.20190806-1244 patch provides a direct fix for the XSS vulnerability, while eIUM 9.0 users must upgrade to version 9.0 FP02 PI5 or later to achieve remediation. The patching strategy aligns with standard security practices for addressing web application vulnerabilities, where the solution typically involves either input sanitization, output encoding, or both to prevent malicious script execution. Organizations should prioritize this patch deployment as part of their vulnerability management process, considering the potential for exploitation in environments where the eIUM system interfaces with sensitive network monitoring data and user access information.
From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1566.001 for credential access through web application attacks and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the applied patches to ensure no regression in functionality while verifying that the XSS vulnerability has been properly addressed. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring for suspicious activities in the eIUM administrative interface, particularly around user session management and data access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in enterprise monitoring systems.