CVE-2021-21802 in R-SeeNet
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2021
This vulnerability is present in device_graph_page.php script, which is a part of the Advantech R-SeeNet web applications. A specially crafted URL by an attacker and visited by a victim can lead to arbitrary JavaScript code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21802 represents a critical server-side request forgery and cross-site scripting flaw within the Advantech R-SeeNet web application suite. This vulnerability specifically targets the device_graph_page.php script, which serves as a component responsible for rendering device monitoring graphics and data visualization within the web interface. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing specially formatted JavaScript payloads that, when executed by the victim's browser, can perform arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of parameters passed to the device_graph_page.php script, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that bypasses standard security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic cross-site scripting attack pattern where the malicious JavaScript code is executed within the context of the victim's browser session. When a victim accesses a crafted URL containing the malicious payload, the device_graph_page.php script processes the input without adequate sanitization, leading to the injection of executable JavaScript code. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the injection of malicious code into web applications. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web application and the victim's browser, allowing unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper output encoding and input validation that should prevent malicious content from being processed and executed within the web application context.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-21802 extends beyond simple code execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors, steal session cookies, perform data exfiltration, or manipulate device configurations within the R-SeeNet environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using Advantech R-SeeNet web applications for industrial monitoring and control systems, where the consequences of unauthorized access can be severe. Attackers could potentially disrupt operations, compromise device integrity, or gain access to critical infrastructure monitoring data. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where the web application serves as a central interface for device management and monitoring, as it provides a direct path for attackers to compromise the entire monitoring ecosystem.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves applying the latest security patches provided by Advantech, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of the affected web application. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and monitoring of user activities within the R-SeeNet environment. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly addressing the risks associated with insufficient logging and monitoring that could allow attackers to maintain persistent access to the compromised systems.