CVE-2020-15028 in NeDi
Summary
by MITRE
NeDi 1.9C is vulnerable to a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The application allows an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code via the Topology-Map.php xo parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2020
NeDi 1.9C presents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability through its Topology-Map.php component where the xo parameter fails to properly sanitize user input. This flaw enables attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected page. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the application's web interface, creating an avenue for persistent and reflected XSS attacks. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative access to the network monitoring system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental weakness in web application security. The attack vector specifically targets the topology mapping functionality where network administrators and users expect to visualize network connections and devices. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL with crafted JavaScript in the xo parameter and convinces a victim to click it, the script executes in the victim's browser context, potentially compromising the entire network monitoring environment. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before rendering in web pages, which represents a common pattern seen in many web applications lacking proper input validation mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers phishing techniques, as attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to deliver malicious payloads through crafted network topology views. The risk is elevated because NeDi serves as a network monitoring tool where administrators frequently access topology maps to analyze network health and device connectivity. Attackers can exploit this weakness to inject scripts that redirect users to malicious sites, steal session cookies, or even modify network topology views to mislead administrators about network status. The vulnerability exists in the web application layer where user input should be strictly validated and escaped before being rendered in HTML output. Organizations using NeDi 1.9C should immediately implement input validation measures that sanitize all parameters including the xo parameter in Topology-Map.php. The recommended mitigation includes implementing proper output encoding, employing Content Security Policy headers, and upgrading to a patched version of the application. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation issues in other web components and ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before being processed or displayed in web interfaces. The presence of such vulnerabilities in network monitoring tools like NeDi particularly concerning because these systems often contain sensitive network topology information and administrative access controls that could be compromised through successful XSS exploitation.