CVE-2019-7185 in QTS
Summary
by MITRE
This cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Music Station allows remote attackers to inject and execute scripts on the administrator�s management console. To fix this vulnerability, QNAP recommend updating Music Station to their latest versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2019
The CVE-2019-7185 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within QNAP's Music Station application that exposes administrators to significant security risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the management console interface where administrators perform critical system operations, creating a dangerous attack vector that could lead to complete system compromise. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute within the administrative context, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive system functions and data.
This vulnerability operates through a classic XSS attack pattern where improperly sanitized user inputs are rendered back to administrators without adequate sanitization or encoding. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative management console, which typically possesses elevated privileges and access to critical system configurations. When an administrator interacts with the compromised interface, the injected scripts execute in their browser context with the same privileges as the administrator, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and persistent access to the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize input data, specifically targeting web applications that do not properly validate or encode user-supplied content before rendering it in web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7185 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the Music Station application's behavior and potentially access underlying system resources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify music library configurations, alter user permissions, access sensitive files, or even install additional malware through the administrative interface. The risk is amplified because the vulnerability affects the management console, which often contains configuration settings that control network access, user authentication, and system security policies. This creates a scenario where an attacker could not only compromise the Music Station application but potentially gain a foothold for broader network infiltration.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the web application layer where malicious scripts can be executed. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of QNAP's patched versions, which typically include proper input sanitization mechanisms and output encoding to prevent script injection. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls, regular security audits of installed applications, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation as fundamental security controls that align with NIST cybersecurity framework recommendations for protecting against common web application vulnerabilities.