CVE-2021-29216 in OneView Global Dashboard
Summary
by MITRE • 02/25/2022
A remote cross-site scripting vulnerability was discovered in HPE OneView Global Dashboard version(s): Prior to 2.5. HPE has provided a software update to resolve this vulnerability in HPE OneView Global Dashboard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-29216 represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw within the HPE OneView Global Dashboard software platform. This security weakness affects versions prior to 2.5 and demonstrates the ongoing challenges organizations face when managing complex infrastructure monitoring solutions. The HPE OneView Global Dashboard serves as a centralized management interface for HPE infrastructure, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists within the web application layer of the platform, specifically in how user inputs are processed and rendered within the dashboard interface. This type of flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of improper input validation and output encoding. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, meaning any attacker with network access to the affected system can potentially execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the dashboard.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the web application's request handling mechanisms. When legitimate users interact with the dashboard through web forms, URL parameters, or other input methods, the application fails to properly validate or escape potentially malicious content. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes within the context of other users' browser sessions. The flaw is particularly dangerous because the dashboard typically serves as a management interface for critical infrastructure components, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the dashboard is often accessed by system administrators and other privileged users who may have elevated access rights to underlying infrastructure components. This creates a potential attack chain where an initial XSS payload could be used to establish a foothold for further exploitation, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on HPE OneView Global Dashboard for infrastructure management. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that even systems behind firewalls or network segmentation could be compromised if they are accessible from the internet. The potential impact extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise, as the XSS vulnerability could be leveraged to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious code. Security teams must consider the broader implications of such a vulnerability within their network infrastructure, as it could serve as an entry point for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper web application security controls. Organizations may need to implement additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that their systems remain protected against such attacks.
The recommended mitigation strategy centers on immediate deployment of the software update provided by HPE to resolve CVE-2021-29216. Organizations should prioritize patching their HPE OneView Global Dashboard installations to version 2.5 or later, as this represents the official fix for the identified vulnerability. Beyond the immediate patch deployment, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential XSS vulnerabilities within their infrastructure management tools. The implementation of web application firewalls and proper input validation mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious user behavior and unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with social engineering, highlighting the need for both technical and user awareness-based defenses. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across their infrastructure management platforms. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of management interfaces can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.