CVE-2023-37523 in BigFix OSD Bare Metal Server WebUI
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
Missing or insecure tags in the HCL BigFix Bare OSD Metal Server WebUI version 311.19 or lower could allow an attacker to execute a malicious script on the user's browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37523 affects the HCL BigFix Bare OSD Metal Server WebUI version 311.19 and earlier releases, presenting a critical security risk through improper handling of input validation and output encoding within the web interface. This flaw resides in the web user interface component responsible for rendering content to end-user browsers, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed without proper sanitization or security controls. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface, creating a potential pathway for cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application's rendering pipeline, where user-provided data is not properly escaped or filtered before being displayed in the browser context. This insecure handling of user input creates a condition where an attacker can inject malicious script code through various vectors including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs that are subsequently rendered without proper security measures. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insufficient output encoding can lead to arbitrary code execution in web browsers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with limited access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate application data, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject persistent malicious content that affects all users of the affected system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the web user interface component, which is typically accessible to various user roles and potentially exposed to external networks. This creates a scenario where unauthorized individuals could gain access to sensitive operational data or disrupt normal business processes through the execution of malicious scripts within the browser context of legitimate users.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the HCL BigFix Bare OSD Metal Server WebUI where the vulnerability has been addressed, applying proper input validation and output encoding controls, and implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The remediation strategy should include comprehensive testing of all user input handling mechanisms and regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with malicious attachments, emphasizing the need for robust web application security controls to prevent such exploitation vectors.