CVE-2021-3536 in WildFly
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2021
A flaw was found in Wildfly in versions before 23.0.2.Final while creating a new role in domain mode via the admin console, it is possible to add a payload in the name field, leading to XSS. This affects Confidentiality and Integrity.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3536 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in WildFly application server versions prior to 23.0.2.Final. This security weakness specifically manifests when administrators attempt to create new roles within the domain mode configuration through the web-based administrative console interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly process user-supplied data entered into the role name field during the creation process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the role name input field where an attacker can inject malicious scripts or payload code. When the administrative console processes this malformed input without proper sanitization, the injected payload gets executed within the context of other administrators' browsers who view the role information. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting condition that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability directly impacts both confidentiality and integrity as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive administrative information and potential modification of role configurations.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-3536 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold within the administrative domain of WildFly servers. Administrators who interact with the domain mode console become potential victims of this attack vector, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators access the same management interface. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to any account with sufficient privileges to create roles, potentially leading to complete compromise of the application server's administrative functions. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and follows patterns commonly associated with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the web application layer for code injection.
Organizations running affected WildFly versions should immediately implement the remediation measures provided by Red Hat, which includes upgrading to version 23.0.2.Final or later. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as input validation at multiple layers, content security policies, and regular security assessments of web-based administrative interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative console components. Organizations should also review their access control policies to minimize the attack surface and ensure that only necessary personnel have the ability to create or modify roles within domain mode configurations.