CVE-2022-28624 in FlexNetwork
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2022
A potential security vulnerability has been identified in certain HPE FlexNetwork and FlexFabric switch products. The vulnerability could be remotely exploited to allow cross site scripting (XSS). HPE has made the following software updates to resolve the vulnerability. HPE FlexNetwork 5130EL_7.10.R3507P02 and HPE FlexFabric 5945_7.10.R6635.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28624 represents a cross site scripting flaw in HPE FlexNetwork and FlexFabric switch products that poses significant security risks to network infrastructure. This issue affects specific hardware models within HPE's networking portfolio and demonstrates the critical importance of securing network management interfaces that are often overlooked in traditional security assessments. The vulnerability exists within the web-based management interfaces of these switches, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring authentication or physical access to the network devices.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web interface components of affected switch models. Attackers can leverage this flaw by injecting malicious scripts into web forms or URL parameters that are then executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised management interface. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws in web applications and represents a fundamental weakness in the input sanitization processes of the switch firmware. The affected HPE FlexNetwork 5130EL and FlexFabric 5945 models operate with web management interfaces that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in the browser context, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to potentially compromise entire network management sessions and enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability could gain access to administrative functions, modify network configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells and malicious code execution, and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through social engineering and web-based attacks. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors could target these switches from anywhere on the internet, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their network management interfaces to external networks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by deploying the software updates provided by HPE, specifically version 7.10.R3507P02 for FlexNetwork 5130EL and 7.10.R6635 for FlexFabric 5945 switches. Network administrators must also implement additional security controls including restricting access to management interfaces through firewall rules, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious activity in web logs. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure and following security best practices for managing network management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities that may not yet be publicly disclosed. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated firmware to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations and services.