CVE-2021-41570 in NetBackup OpsCenter Analytics
Summary
by MITRE • 04/19/2022
Veritas NetBackup OpsCenter Analytics 9.1 allows XSS via the NetBackup Master Server Name, Display Name, NetBackup User Name, or NetBackup Password field during a Settings/Configuration Add operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2022
Veritas NetBackup OpsCenter Analytics version 9.1 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises during the configuration addition process when handling user-provided input fields. This flaw specifically affects the NetBackup Master Server Name, Display Name, NetBackup User Name, and NetBackup Password fields, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject persistent script code into the application's web interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the configuration management module, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users who view the affected configuration data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the Settings/Configuration Add operation where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into the web response without proper sanitization. When an attacker submits malicious script code through any of the vulnerable fields, the application fails to properly encode or escape the input before rendering it in the user interface. This creates a persistent XSS vector that can be triggered whenever the affected configuration entries are displayed to authenticated users. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browser context of authenticated users, potentially allowing them to steal session cookies, capture user credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where NetBackup OpsCenter Analytics is used for critical backup and recovery operations, as it could provide attackers with access to sensitive backup configurations and potentially compromise the entire backup infrastructure. The attack requires minimal privileges since it targets the configuration management interface where users typically have administrative access.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to the affected NetBackup OpsCenter Analytics version 9.1. Organizations should also implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms to sanitize all user-provided data before it is processed or displayed in the web interface. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to persistent security weaknesses in enterprise backup management systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the backup infrastructure that may be susceptible to similar attacks.