CVE-2023-40314 in Horizon
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2023
Cross-site scripting in bootstrap.jsp in multiple versions of OpenNMS Meridian and Horizon allows an attacker access to confidential session information. The solution is to upgrade to Horizon 32.0.5 or newer and Meridian 2023.1.9 or newer Meridian and Horizon installation instructions state that they are intended for installation within an organization's private networks and should not be directly accessible from the Internet. OpenNMS thanks Moshe Apelbaum for reporting this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-40314 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw located within the bootstrap.jsp component of OpenNMS Meridian and Horizon platforms. This issue affects multiple versions of these network management systems and poses significant security risks to organizations relying on them for infrastructure monitoring. The vulnerability specifically targets the bootstrap.jsp file which serves as an initialization script for the web interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit session information and gain unauthorized access to confidential data. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can capture user sessions and potentially escalate their privileges within the system.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability operates through the exploitation of input validation weaknesses in the web application's user interface components. The technical implementation involves the injection of malicious script code that executes within the victim's browser context when the vulnerable bootstrap.jsp page is accessed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, user authentication tokens, and other sensitive information that would typically be protected by proper session management controls. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered to other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to potentially take full control of user sessions and access administrative functions within the OpenNMS platform. Organizations using affected versions of Meridian and Horizon may face unauthorized access to network monitoring data, configuration changes, and potential disruption of critical infrastructure monitoring services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational components of the web interface, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise the entire monitoring platform. Security teams may find that standard network monitoring tools are compromised, potentially leading to undetected attacks and extended periods of unauthorized access.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to specific patched versions of both Horizon and Meridian platforms, with Horizon 32.0.5 and Meridian 2023.1.9 or newer being the minimum required versions to address this vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these patches while implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation and web application firewalls to protect against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with industry best practices for managing known security flaws and demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions. Security professionals should also consider implementing monitoring for suspicious script injection attempts and user session anomalies as part of their defensive strategies. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management programs and to follow vendor-recommended security configurations that emphasize proper network isolation and access controls.