CVE-2021-38407 in DIALink
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior is vulnerable to cross-site scripting because an authenticated attacker can inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the parameter name of the API devices, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink software version 1.2.4.0 and earlier contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation within the API devices parameter handling. This flaw exists in the device management interface where user-supplied input for the name parameter is not properly sanitized before being processed and returned to the browser. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious JavaScript payloads within the name parameter of device API calls, thereby bypassing standard security controls that typically protect against such attacks. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the system, but once achieved, the impact extends beyond simple session hijacking to potentially enable complete system compromise through remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard XSS attack pattern where malicious JavaScript code injected into the name parameter gets executed within the context of other users' browser sessions. This creates a persistent threat vector where legitimate users who view affected device listings or interact with the compromised data will unknowingly execute attacker-controlled code. The attack chain typically involves an authenticated user performing device management operations while the malicious input is processed and stored in the system. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side XSS issue means that the malicious code injection occurs at the server level and can be triggered by any user who accesses the vulnerable functionality, making the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to contain.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or session manipulation, as it provides a potential pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying network infrastructure. When combined with other exploitation techniques, this XSS vulnerability can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. The implications are particularly severe in industrial environments where Delta Electronics DIALink systems are commonly deployed for managing critical infrastructure components. Organizations using these systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to device management controls, potentially allowing attackers to modify device configurations, disable security features, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the XSS payload to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected DIALink installations to version 1.2.5.0 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect suspicious API activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing strict content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, enforcing multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also establishing robust logging and alerting mechanisms for API access patterns. Security teams must also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw represents a common attack vector that frequently appears in industrial control systems and network management platforms.