CVE-2022-40912 in NV ETAP Safety Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2022
ETAP Lighting International NV ETAP Safety Manager 1.0.0.32 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS). Input passed to the GET parameter 'action' is not properly sanitized before being returned to the user. This can be exploited to execute arbitrary HTML/JS code in a user's browser session in context of an affected site.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40912 affects ETAP Lighting International NV ETAP Safety Manager version 1.0.0.32, representing a critical cross site scripting flaw that compromises web application security. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the GET parameter named 'action', where insufficient input validation and sanitization allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into the application's response. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness that enables attackers to execute client-side scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer, specifically within the HTTP request processing mechanism, where user-supplied data flows directly into the response without proper contextual encoding or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to manipulate the victim's browser session in ways that can compromise the entire application environment. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted JavaScript within the 'action' parameter, any user who clicks this link and has an active session with the vulnerable application will execute the injected code within their browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, modifying application data, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even installing malware through browser-based exploits. The vulnerability essentially allows for a complete compromise of user sessions and can potentially escalate to full application compromise if the application's user permissions are elevated. The attack surface is particularly wide since any user with access to the application can be targeted, and the exploitation requires minimal technical skill beyond crafting the malicious payload.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper parameter sanitization for all GET parameters, particularly the 'action' parameter in this case, using established encoding techniques such as HTML entity encoding, JavaScript encoding, and context-appropriate escaping. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of inline scripts and restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use browser-based scripting to execute malicious code. The remediation approach should include comprehensive input validation frameworks, regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing, and security awareness training for developers on secure coding practices. The application should also implement proper error handling that does not expose internal system information and should maintain up-to-date security patches for all components of the web application stack. Organizations using this software should urgently deploy patches or implement temporary workarounds such as URL filtering and access controls to prevent exploitation while permanent fixes are implemented.