CVE-2023-33732 in eScan Management Console
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2023
Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in the New Policy form in Microworld Technologies eScan management console 14.0.1400.2281 allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary code via the vulnerable parameters type, txtPolicyType, and Deletefileval.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-33732 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within the Microworld Technologies eScan management console version 14.0.1400.2281. This security weakness exists specifically within the New Policy form functionality of the web-based management interface, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web application's response. The affected parameters type, txtPolicyType, and Deletefileval serve as entry points for malicious code injection, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
This XSS vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification CWE-79, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross Site Scripting')". The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts that can persist in the application's database or session storage, potentially affecting all users who interact with the vulnerable form. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets administrative functionality within a security management console, providing attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or manipulate security policies. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-33732 is significant for organizations relying on the eScan management console for security policy enforcement. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could manipulate security policies, potentially creating backdoors or disabling protective measures within the security infrastructure. The vulnerability exists in the context of a management console that handles critical security configurations, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment', as attackers could use the XSS to deliver malicious payloads or establish initial access through crafted policy forms. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the security management system, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to protected resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33732 should include immediate patching of the eScan management console to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent XSS attacks across all web applications. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to the management console and implementing multi-factor authentication. Web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection by filtering malicious payloads before they reach the application. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure. The affected organization should also implement proper logging and monitoring of administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response procedures.