CVE-2021-26967 in AirWave Management Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2021
A remote reflected cross-site scripting (xss) vulnerability was discovered in Aruba AirWave Management Platform version(s): Prior to 8.2.12.0. A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of AirWave could allow a remote attacker to conduct a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of certain components of the interface. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary script code in a victim’s browser in the context of the AirWave management interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2021
The CVE-2021-26967 vulnerability represents a critical remote reflected cross-site scripting flaw in Aruba AirWave Management Platform versions prior to 8.2.12.0, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks through its web-based management interface. This vulnerability specifically affects certain components of the AirWave management interface, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit the reflected XSS mechanism to compromise user sessions and execute arbitrary code within victim browsers. The flaw resides in how the web interface processes user input, particularly in parameters that are reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding, making it a classic example of a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that falls under CWE-79, which categorizes weaknesses related to insufficient input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the AirWave management interface in ways that could lead to complete system compromise. When a victim clicks on a malicious link crafted by an attacker, the reflected XSS payload executes within the victim's browser context, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim, or redirect users to malicious sites. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Use of Web Shell" and T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," demonstrating how reflected XSS can serve as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated exploitation chains. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need not have physical access to the network or even be on the same network segment, making it particularly dangerous for organizations managing wireless networks through AirWave.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-26967 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to Aruba AirWave Management Platform version 8.2.12.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent reflected XSS attacks. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation and output encoding at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being reflected back to users. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while security awareness training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The fix addresses the core issue of insufficient input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements in OWASP Top Ten security practices and align with defense-in-depth principles that should be applied to all web applications handling user input. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the network infrastructure, as reflected XSS vulnerabilities often indicate broader input validation issues that require comprehensive remediation strategies.