CVE-2019-5398 in 3PAR Service Processor
Summary
by MITRE
A remote multiple multiple cross-site vulnerability was discovered in HPE 3PAR Service Processor version(s): prior to 5.0.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5398 represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw affecting HPE 3PAR Service Processor systems running versions prior to 5.0.5.1. This security weakness resides within the web-based management interface of the service processor, which serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and monitoring HPE 3PAR storage systems. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code or steal sensitive information from authenticated users who interact with the compromised interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the service processor's web server implementation, creating an attack surface that can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of input parameters within the web interface, specifically targeting areas where user-supplied data is directly reflected back to the browser without proper sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when executed, can hijack user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or extract sensitive data from the authenticated user's browser context. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which catalogs cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of CVE-2019-5398 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire storage management infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to manipulate storage configurations, potentially leading to data loss, unauthorized access to storage resources, or disruption of critical storage services. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed service processor interfaces. The vulnerability affects not only individual storage arrays but can potentially provide attackers with a foothold for further lateral movement within the network, especially when the service processor is accessible from untrusted networks or when multiple storage systems are managed through a centralized interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the deployment of HPE's official security patches, specifically version 5.0.5.1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to restrict access to service processor interfaces, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks only. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems and implement web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers. The mitigation approach should also include regular security monitoring of service processor interfaces for anomalous access patterns and implementation of strict access controls that limit administrative privileges to only essential personnel. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requires organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches and implement proper access controls to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-5398.